Operation Sindoor: Meet the real Gunjan Saxena, a Delhi Hansraj College graduate, who became first woman IAF officer to fight in Kargil War
As
Operation Sindoor
dominates national attention, the country reflects with awe and pride on the valor of its armed forces. Launched as a powerful counter-response to the harrowing terrorist assault in Pahalgam, Operation Sindoor has seen India execute a swift, calculated, and highly successful
military retaliation
.
#Operation Sindoor
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This strategic endeavor, unfolding across the highly volatile Pakistan-occupied zones of Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bahawalpur, Rawalakot, Chakswari, Bhimber, Neelum Valley, Jhelum, and Chakwal, struck with laser-like precision. Over 60 militants have reportedly been neutralized or severely injured, underlining India's uncompromising resolve against terror crossing its borders.
Amid this resurgence of patriotic fervor, memories of past heroes return to the national consciousness—among them, the inspiring story of Flight Lieutenant
Gunjan Saxena
, the trailblazing aviator who redefined bravery in the skies during the
Kargil War
.
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Born in Lucknow in 1975 into a family steeped in military service, Gunjan grew up watching her father, Lt. Col. (Retd.) Ashok Kumar Saxena, and brother Anshuman Saxena, serve the country in uniform. From a young age, she dreamed of flying—not just planes, but also past societal norms that confined women.
She pursued her passion for science at Hansraj College, Delhi, and trained in aviation at the Delhi Flying Club. Determined and fearless, she cracked the Services Selection Board exams and earned her commission into the
Indian Air Force
, joining a historic batch of 25 pioneering women officers in 1994.
In a profession heavily dominated by men, Gunjan stood firm, not asking for acceptance, but demanding her space in the cockpit. Her resilience paid off. During the 1999 Kargil conflict, Gunjan was posted in Udhampur, J&K, and quickly became a central figure in Operation Vijay and Operation Safed Sagar.
Flying unarmed Cheetah helicopters into enemy-infested warzones, she undertook daring missions to evacuate the wounded, transport supplies, and conduct reconnaissance under constant threat of enemy fire. At just 25, she was entrusted with some of the most perilous sorties—and never once faltered.
Her courage saved hundreds. Her quiet strength proved louder than any propaganda. And her calm in crisis turned her into a national icon—eventually earning her the moniker "Kargil Girl."
Years later, when Bollywood turned her story into a biopic with Janhvi Kapoor portraying her on screen, Gunjan's reaction was humble. 'You've lived your life—you don't think it's extraordinary. But when someone else views it, maybe it becomes a story worth telling,' she reflected in an interview.
Today, as Operation Sindoor continues and soldiers carry out their duty with fierce commitment, Gunjan Saxena's legacy reminds us that courage is not about the absence of fear—but the ability to rise above it.
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