Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Ex-IAF Chief Explains Ajay Ahuja’s Kargil Death, Nachiketa’s Return
During the 1999 Kargil War, Indian pilot Kambapati Nachiketa had to leave his aircraft after its engine stopped.
Pakistani forces captured him.
Another Indian pilot, Ajay Ahuja, flew after him to try to find and rescue him.
Ahuja’s aircraft was shot down, and he was also captured.
He was later killed, while Nachiketa was released and returned to India.
Former Air Chief B.S. Dhanoa said he was shocked because he expected Ahuja to survive.
A Pakistani officer later claimed that Ahuja had killed himself.
Dhanoa disagreed, pointing to two wounds and signs that Ahuja had been tortured.
Dhanoa said Pakistan should have protected Ahuja because prisoners of war must be treated according to international rules.
Flight Lieutenant Kambapati Nachiketa ejected after an engine failure and was captured by Pakistani forces during the 1999 Kargil War.
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja followed Nachiketa’s aircraft to locate and rescue him, but his own jet was shot down.
Ahuja was captured and killed after being held in Pakistan, while Nachiketa was later released and returned to India.
Former IAF officer BS Dhanoa rejected a Pakistani officer’s claim that Ahuja died by suicide, citing multiple gunshot wounds and signs of torture.
Dhanoa said Ahuja may have fallen among irregular fighters, but argued Pakistan remained responsible for protecting a prisoner of war under the Geneva Conventions.
- Who
- Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, Flight Lieutenant Kambapati Nachiketa, former IAF officer B.S. Dhanoa, and Pakistani forces were central to the account.
- What
- Ahuja was killed after his aircraft was shot down while he was trying to locate Nachiketa, who had been captured and was later released.
- When
- During the 1999 Kargil War; Dhanoa discussed the events in a recent interview.
- Where
- The incidents occurred near the Line of Control and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the area where the Indus crossed PoK.
- Why
- Ahuja followed Nachiketa’s aircraft to locate and rescue him after Nachiketa ejected and was captured.
Dhanoa’s Account
Pakistani Claim and Responsibility
Cause of Ahuja’s death
Dhanoa’s Account
B.S. Dhanoa said the injuries and signs of torture did not support the claim that Ahuja killed himself.
Pakistani Claim and Responsibility
A Pakistani officer told Dhanoa that Ahuja had shot himself.
Who was responsible
Dhanoa’s Account
Dhanoa said Ahuja may have fallen into the hands of irregular fighters, who did not follow the same rules as regular troops.
Pakistani Claim and Responsibility
Dhanoa argued that Pakistan remained responsible because its regular forces fought alongside the irregulars and Pakistan was bound by the Geneva Conventions.
Treatment of prisoners
Dhanoa’s Account
Dhanoa said regular troops might preserve a prisoner because they know the prisoner could be needed later, while irregulars may act differently.
Pakistani Claim and Responsibility
Regardless of which forces held Ahuja, Pakistan was expected to meet international requirements for protecting prisoners of war.
- Conflict
- 1999 Kargil War
- Rescue attempt
- Ajay Ahuja followed Nachiketa after Nachiketa’s jet suffered engine failure.
- Ahuja’s fate
- He was captured and killed after his aircraft was shot down.
- Nachiketa’s fate
- He was captured as a prisoner of war and later released to India.
- Dhanoa’s position
- He rejected the claim that Ahuja died by suicide.
- Evidence cited
- Dhanoa referred to two gunshot wounds and signs of torture.
- International law
- Dhanoa said Pakistan, a signatory to the Geneva Conventions, had a duty to protect prisoners of war.