🚨🇮🇳🇵🇰 FROM CAPTIVITY TO NATIONAL HERO: STORY OF FLIGHT LIEUTENANT NACHIKETA
IAF pilot Nachiketa’s MiG-27 was hit over Kargil’s Batalik sector.
He ejected. Survived. Captured by Pakistani troops. Tortured.
8 days later, he returned — a national hero.
Here’s the gripping story of courage under fire:🧵👇
IAF pilot Nachiketa’s MiG-27 was hit over Kargil’s Batalik sector.
He ejected. Survived. Captured by Pakistani troops. Tortured.
8 days later, he returned — a national hero.
Here’s the gripping story of courage under fire:🧵👇
✈️💥 STRIKE OVER BATALIK
May 26, 1999: Indian Air Force launched Op Safed Sagar.
Flight Lt Nachiketa flew a MiG-27 to strike enemy positions in Batalik.
As he fired his rockets, a Pakistani MANPADS hit his jet.
🪂 At 15,000 feet, he ejected—alone, into enemy territory.
2/9
May 26, 1999: Indian Air Force launched Op Safed Sagar.
Flight Lt Nachiketa flew a MiG-27 to strike enemy positions in Batalik.
As he fired his rockets, a Pakistani MANPADS hit his jet.
🪂 At 15,000 feet, he ejected—alone, into enemy territory.
2/9
🥶BEHIND ENEMY LINES
Thin air. Icy cold.
Armed with a pistol and 16 bullets, Flight Lt Nachiketa ran. Hid classified material. Took cover.
💥When a Pakistani patrol found him, he opened fire.
The bullets ran out.
3/9
Thin air. Icy cold.
Armed with a pistol and 16 bullets, Flight Lt Nachiketa ran. Hid classified material. Took cover.
💥When a Pakistani patrol found him, he opened fire.
The bullets ran out.
3/9
🇵🇰⛓ THE CAPTURE
A soldier shoved an rifle into his mouth.
✋ Execution seemed seconds away — until Pakistani officer Rao Tahseen Ali stopped his men.
4/9
A soldier shoved an rifle into his mouth.
✋ Execution seemed seconds away — until Pakistani officer Rao Tahseen Ali stopped his men.
4/9
⚠️🤕 INTERROGATED & TORTURED
He was blindfolded, beaten, and denied sleep.
Dragged between camps in Skardu, Islamabad, Rawalpindi.
India feared the worst.
💪 But he didn’t break.
5/9
He was blindfolded, beaten, and denied sleep.
Dragged between camps in Skardu, Islamabad, Rawalpindi.
India feared the worst.
💪 But he didn’t break.
5/9
🇮🇳🕊️DIPLOMATIC PRESSURE
India demanded Geneva Convention rights.
The Red Cross intervened.
🇵🇰 He was handed over to ISI specialist cell for third degree torture.
His release order was suddenly cleared.
😌 He was saved — just in time.
6/9
India demanded Geneva Convention rights.
The Red Cross intervened.
🇵🇰 He was handed over to ISI specialist cell for third degree torture.
His release order was suddenly cleared.
😌 He was saved — just in time.
6/9
🇮🇳🏠 HOMECOMING: HERO RETURNS
June 3, 1999 – 8 days later.
Flight Lt Nachiketa was handed over to India at Wagah border.
He spoke to his parents. Then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
🏆 To a waiting nation, he returned as a hero.
7/9
June 3, 1999 – 8 days later.
Flight Lt Nachiketa was handed over to India at Wagah border.
He spoke to his parents. Then PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
🏆 To a waiting nation, he returned as a hero.
7/9
🫡🇮🇳 HONOURS & BEYOND
He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry.
Spinal injuries grounded him from fighter jets but not from flying.
✈️ He later flew transport aircraft… then commercial airliners.
8/9
He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry.
Spinal injuries grounded him from fighter jets but not from flying.
✈️ He later flew transport aircraft… then commercial airliners.
8/9
✈️☁︎ STILL IN THE SKIES
Group Captain Nachiketa (Retd) now flies Airbus A320s for Indigo.
🔥 From combat to commercial — the pilot never gave up the sky.
9/9
Group Captain Nachiketa (Retd) now flies Airbus A320s for Indigo.
🔥 From combat to commercial — the pilot never gave up the sky.
9/9
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