Archive · 11 Aug 2026
RS Dhaliwal: The Real Story Behind Operation Safed Sagar
Operation Safed Sagar is a new Netflix series about the Indian Air Force's role in the Kargil War.
One of the characters is a young pilot named RS Dhaliwal, played by actor Abhay Verma.
In the show, Dhaliwal is very talented but also a bit of a show-off, and his confidence sometimes gets him grounded.
The real Dhaliwal truly existed.
He was born in January 1974 and joined the Indian Air Force in 1995.
In July 1999, during the Kargil War, he flew four dangerous night missions over the mountains, dropping weapons on enemy targets in the dark.
For his bravery, he received a special medal called the Vayu Sena Medal.
Later, he joined the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, a famous group of pilots who perform amazing sky shows.
Sadly, in 2009, during a training flight, his plane suffered a technical problem and crashed, and Dhaliwal passed away at just 35.
The Netflix series now tells his remarkable story to a new audience.
Abhay Verma plays Flying Officer RS Dhaliwal, a talented but overconfident young pilot, in the Netflix series Operation Safed Sagar about the Indian Air Force's role in the Kargil War.
The real Dhaliwal, born Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal in January 1974, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force as a Pilot Officer on June 17, 1995.
In July 1999 he flew four night combat missions with No. 17 Squadron during Operation Safed Sagar and earned the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry).
He joined the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, the IAF's premier aerobatic display team, on July 1, 2007.
Wing Commander Dhaliwal died at 35 in a 2009 training crash in Bidar, Karnataka, after a critical technical malfunction during the 'Barbed Wire Cross' manoeuvre.
- Who
- Flying Officer (later Wing Commander) Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal, an Indian Air Force fighter pilot, and actor Abhay Verma, who plays him in the Netflix series Operation Safed Sagar, which also features officers such as BS Dhanoa and Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja.
- What
- Dhaliwal's real-life story: flying four night combat missions in Operation Safed Sagar during the 1999 Kargil War, earning the Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry), joining the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, and his death in a 2009 training crash in Bidar, Karnataka.
- When
- Born January 1974; commissioned June 17, 1995; flew missions in July 1999; joined SKAT on July 1, 2007; died in 2009 at age 35.
- Where
- Kargil, in the treacherous Himalayan terrain where he flew night missions, and Bidar, Karnataka, where the fatal 2009 crash occurred.
- Why
- The Netflix series brought renewed attention to Dhaliwal's life, prompting articles about the real story behind Abhay Verma's character.
Series dramatisation
Real-life account
Portrayal of Dhaliwal's personality
Series dramatisation
The series introduces Dhaliwal as "very talented. And a bit of a show-off as well," with confidence that sometimes borders on reckless, and it shows his overconfidence getting him grounded.
Real-life account
The real Dhaliwal was widely regarded as a highly skilled, disciplined, dependable and professional fighter pilot known for his commitment to flying, with no mention of him being a show-off.
- Born
- January 1974
- Commissioned into IAF
- June 17, 1995, 155th Pilots' Course
- Wartime role
- Four night combat missions in Operation Safed Sagar, July 1999
- Award
- Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)
- Joined Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team
- July 1, 2007
- Died
- 2009, Bidar, Karnataka, aged 35
- Aircraft in fatal crash
- Kiran Mk-II
- Survived by
- Wife Rubina and daughter Rasha
