Archive · 18 Sep 2026
IndiGo Pilot Calls Cockpit Flight With Kargil Hero 'Privilege'
Hemanth Naidu is a pilot who recently flew with K. Nachiketa.
Nachiketa had once been an Indian Air Force fighter pilot.
During the 1999 Kargil War, his plane had an engine problem.
He had to leave the plane and was captured by Pakistani forces.
He spent eight days as a prisoner before returning to India.
Later, he became a commercial pilot with IndiGo.
Naidu said sharing an Airbus A321 cockpit with him was a great honour.
Many people online also praised Nachiketa as brave, humble and experienced.
IndiGo pilot Hemanth Naidu described flying alongside Group Captain K. Nachiketa as an “absolute privilege.”
Nachiketa was captured during the 1999 Kargil War after ejecting from a MiG-27 with engine failure.
He spent eight days as a prisoner of war before being returned safely to India.
Nachiketa later moved from military aviation to commercial flying and now pilots for IndiGo.
Comments on Naidu’s post praised Nachiketa’s courage, humility, experience and service.
- Who
- IndiGo pilot Hemanth Naidu and Group Captain K. Nachiketa, a former Indian Air Force fighter pilot and Kargil War prisoner of war.
- What
- Naidu shared his admiration for flying alongside Nachiketa in an Airbus A321 cockpit.
- When
- Recently; the article does not provide an exact date.
- Where
- In the cockpit of an Airbus A321; the flight route is not specified.
- Why
- Naidu said Nachiketa’s military service, wartime experience and personal qualities made the flight especially meaningful.
- Pilots
- Hemanth Naidu and Group Captain K. Nachiketa
- Airline
- IndiGo
- Aircraft
- Airbus A321
- Wartime incident
- Nachiketa ejected from a MiG-27 after an engine failure during the 1999 Kargil War.
- Captivity
- He spent eight days as a prisoner of war.
- Later career
- Nachiketa moved from military aviation to commercial flying and now flies for IndiGo.
- Public reaction
- Commenters praised his courage, humility, experience and service to India.