Original subtitles

He should be here somewhere. That means he has landed on our side.

Any update on the rescue chopper?

Jai Hind.

The Indian Army has spotted Ahuja's parachute.

Where, sir?

He's drifted across the LoC.

Ahuja is in PoK, Tony.

Dhali!

Ahuja ejected, man! Hurry up!

This Ahuja…

Always going overboard.

No problem.

Let's bring him back.

Sinha!

Ahuja has ejected. We have to go look for him.

What? When?

Just a little while ago.

We don't have much time. Is there a chopper ready?

- Is Nubra One ready at the takeoff point? - Yes, sir.

Run the final checks quickly. I want to take off in two minutes.

Did Ahuja activate his rescue beacon?

Ahuja isn't in friendly territory, Sinha.

I know him well.

He will neither use the beacon nor let them use it.

Where the hell do you think you're going?

We are going to get Ahuja, sir.

Ahuja is in Pakistan, Tony.

That doesn't matter, sir.

Our choppers are fitted with both guns and rockets.

We will rescue him, sir. You have to trust us.

What if they shoot you?

Who's going to go look for you?

It's a trap. Basic military strategy.

Sir, we can't just sit back and do nothing.

It is a diplomatic matter now.

I'll talk to the government, take it to the highest level.

You cannot cross the LoC.

Understood?

In breaking news coming from South Asia,

the Indian Air Force has confirmed

that two of its fighter pilots are missing in action

after their jets were reportedly shot down

over the Line of Control in Kashmir's Kargil sector.

World leaders are monitoring the developments closely

amidst widespread concern

that this may prove to be a dangerous tipping point

in the ongoing Kargil conflict between the two…

Long live Pakistan, sir.

I'm watching the news, Aziz.

- Well done. - Thank you, sir.

But now this issue will escalate internationally, Aziz.

American satellites will be monitoring the Line of Control.

So, for now,

halt all movement of soldiers and their supplies.

Sir, India has deployed 15,000 more soldiers in the Kargil sector.

Stopping the movement now--

Whether it's 1,000 or 15,000, what difference does it make, Aziz?

It's been over three weeks since we were discovered.

We have killed 250 of their soldiers,

shot down two jets.

Has the Indian Air Force or the Army managed to hurt us in any way?

As long as we hold the height advantage,

we'll keep crushing both their Army and their Air Force.

Right, sir.

I trust both pilots are in our custody?

We've caught one, sir.

He's unconscious at the moment.

And the second?

The search is ongoing, sir.

The area has been identified. We'll get him soon.

Excellent.

Let's see how many more pilots

the Indian Air Force is willing to send to their deaths.

We've found the parachute, sir.

We've found the parachute, sir.

The Station Commander himself is here.

I hope it's nothing serious?

No. He's not in ceremonial uniform.

Ajay had to eject during a mission.

We are waiting for further information.

As soon as we find out more, we'll update you.

General Zinni, what a pleasant surprise.

Is it, Mr. Prime Minister?

My office has requested meetings five times in the last week.

I apologize, General.

The situation at the LoC is quite tense.

Which is precisely why I'm calling.

President Clinton is deeply concerned

and wants you to de-escalate immediately.

They're not our troops, General.

They are Mujahideen.

Delhi claims that it's your army disguised as militants.

Quite frankly, given the scale, it is compelling.

Who do you trust, General?

Your old ally, Pakistan,

who stood by you faithfully for the last 50 years--

Speaking of allies, Mr. Prime Minister,

what is your army chief doing in Beijing?

That's a personal visit, General. It has nothing to do with this situation.

Mr. Sharif, you do understand

that if India and Pakistan go to nuclear war,

100 million people could lose their lives in the immediate aftermath?

Right now, sir,

you are just one reckless decision away from setting it off.

President Clinton is counting on your leadership,

Mr. Prime Minister.

This is my third war.

And today…

may well be the most difficult day…

of my entire career.

With great regret,

I am suspending Operation Safed Sagar.

With due respect, sir,

we were first ordered

not to cross the LoC while engaging the enemy.

We didn't cross it.

Then we were told not to cross the LoC even to rescue Ahuja.

We didn't cross it then either.

But now we're being told not to fight even from our side of the LoC?

How can this be, sir?

Tony, we have to face the hard facts.

In the last two days, we have lost two aircraft and two pilots.

We can't go down without a fight, sir.

Sir, I agree with Tony.

We have to keep fighting.

You're all missing the big picture here.

This is the Western Air Command's area of responsibility.

From Rajasthan to Jammu and Kashmir.

The area spans 3.5 lakh square kilometers.

On this map,

Kargil is just a tiny dot.

If losses continue at this rate,

then within a month, in an attempt to protect this tiny dot,

the entire Western Air Command will be engaged.

And if the enemy opens another front,

how will we protect the rest of these borders?

Tony, I'm angry, too.

But we work on cold strategy.

We will strike,

but from outside missile range.

But, sir,

that's 10,000 feet above the target.

If we can't achieve precision even from this close,

how will we from that height?

That's exactly why we are going to wait.

The target is at 18,000 feet.

Bombing needs to be done from 30,000 feet.

And only an advanced aircraft like the Mirage can do this.

Because only the Mirage 2000 has laser-guided bombing capability,

which can lock onto targets from far away from the peak,

beyond missile range.

And it can strike before the enemy can react

and safely return.

But unfortunately, they're not ready yet either,

because they don't have laser-guided bombs.

The Americans have once again rejected our request for laser-guided bombs.

It's clear America is playing with us.

We have the capabilities, but not the equipment.

So we'll make our own laser-guided bombs,

and showcase the innovative capabilities of the Indian Air Force to the world.

We have old bombs from 1971.

We'll fit these Paveway laser kits to them

and lead this Mirage 2000 into believing

that they're laser-guided bombs.

Until the jet accepts this hack,

nobody goes home.

At any cost…

we need to fool this jet.

Sangy sir,

there's a call for you from Srinagar.

Hello?

Sangy,

it's Baldy.

Baldy?

How are you?

Any news of Ahuja sir?

There's no news.

Our operations have also been halted.

Yes, Chhabra sir told me.

Tell me something.

What's happening with the Mirages?

When do you think you'll be operational?

We are trying our best.

Everyone's working around the clock.

Listen, Baldy,

how's Dhali?

He was with Ahuja sir, wasn't he?

Ever since he came back, he's barely spoken to anyone.

Maybe he is blaming himself.

We're all just hoping that wherever Ahuja sir is,

he comes back safe.

Nothing should happen to either of our pilots.

Jaswant ji, please send a message to Islamabad.

They should be treated properly.

Otherwise,

the outcome will be grave for Pakistan.

Yes.

Get him down.

Get down.

Well done, Ajmal.

You know what you have to do.

Yes, sir.

Move.

Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja,

what were you doing so close to the LoC?

What was your objective?

Under the Geneva Conventions of 1949,

prisoners of war

are not mandated to answer questions posed by the enemy.

Speak up!

Answer the question directly.

Why are you here?

Perhaps, you should first ask yourself…

You…

Why did you come inside my country?

With India maintaining that both jets were shot down

on their side of the Line of Control,

the fog of war in Kargil has now thickened into a global diplomatic crisis.

Speaking earlier today,

the US Secretary of State urged maximum restraint,

reminding the world that a nuclear exchange between India and Pakistan

- could result in a hundred million deaths… - Aziz.

- …in the immediate aftermath. - Is the other pilot in our custody?

Yes, sir. He's been taken to Skardu.

And has he agreed to accept the truth?

Sorry, sir, I don't understand.

That he was ordered to cross the Line of Control

and bomb our forward bases.

It's very important to get this on-camera statement from him, Aziz.

So that we can mislead the world

into thinking that the real aggressor is India, not us.

I'll check, sir.

But General Hassan tells me

the officer is extremely stubborn.

General Hassan isn't capable of handling every situation.

You see to it yourself.

Copy that, sir. Understood.

I'll leave for Skardu immediately.

I am asking once again.

Which base were you ordered to bomb inside Pakistan?

I am telling you again.

There were no bombs in my aircraft.

And I also didn't…

intend to enter Pakistan.

Lies!

Absolute lies.

Which base?

Which base?

Which base?

Major Ajmal!

- Which base? - Major Ajmal!

What's going on here?

Untie the rope.

Put his uniform back on.

And you.

Fetch Dr. Bukhari.

What are you doing, Hassan?

This is Skardu, sir.

This is how we extract information here.

Hassan, this is different.

Do you have any idea

how important his statement is?

I apologize for Major Ajmal's conduct.

But you are very stubborn.

And our soldiers…

respond to stubbornness

in this fashion.

Now, what can one do?

You can, General Khan.

You can give them good training.

So that they know

that any form of torture meted out to a prisoner of war

is a violation of the Geneva Conventions.

What Geneva Conventions?

They apply only when the armies of two nations

are at war with each other.

Those people who have entered Kargil,

in response to which you have entered our territory,

are Mujahideen.

I'm sorry, General Khan, I didn't know

that by merely wearing a Pathani suit,

Pakistan's army becomes Mujahideen.

Aren't you worried about Ankur and Alka?

Sir, you don't need to worry about them.

They are in the safest place in India.

And you're here,

in Pakistan's most secure army base.

No one will come here to save you.

Here, only…

I can help you.

For that,

you have to help me first.

Please have some tea.

General Musharraf,

Beijing welcomes you during difficult times.

- Thank you. - Please, sit.

My deepest sympathies regarding your embassy in Belgrade.

Three journalists dead.

"American mistake," they claim.

We have a saying in Urdu.

"Their own roof is falling apart,

but they are off to repair others' houses."

And this is what America is doing.

For the last few weeks,

India has been displaying unrestrained aggression along the Line of Control.

And yet,

my prime minister is receiving daily calls from Clinton.

What should we do?

Should we sit back and allow India to take over our country?

America is acting through India. Trust me.

We can easily take on India.

But America?

General,

we also have a saying in Mandarin.

"A frog at the bottom of the well cannot fathom the depth of the ocean."

It is a very stupid thing, what you've done in Kargil, General.

Sparking war in the midst of a historic peace process,

while both sides have nuclear weapons.

You're playing with fire.

China has always supported Pakistan in the past.

But this time,

you're on your own.

Your safety has sparked concern not just in India,

but across the world as well.

So,

we will record a video of you.

We got this written in Hindustani for you.

All you have to do is look into the camera,

and read whatever is written on it properly.

So, let's get started?

Zubair.

"I, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja,

am making this statement of my own free will and in my senses."

"Today, on May 27, 1999,

when I…"

WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING AN ATTACK ON A PAKISTANI MILITARY BASE

While I was engaged in a non-offensive mission within Indian territory,

then the Pakistani Army that has infiltrated Kargil…

- What happened, sir? - Don't they teach you to read over there?

They do, sir.

How to read and how to fight, too.

But with principles.

What do they teach you this side of the border, sir?

So, according to you,

your mission was limited to Indian airspace only.

Then would you care to explain

what you're doing

at a Pakistan Army base right now?

Sir, the Pakistan Army hidden in our mountains

fired a Stinger missile at my jet.

I ejected…

in India.

My parachute carried me into Pakistan.

So,

entering Pakistan…

was never your intention?

Affirmative, sir.

Very well. Let's talk straight.

Tell one lie for us.

Then, inshallah,

go back and collect your medal for bravery.

Which country awards medals for lying?

And anyway, no medal is valuable enough…

for me to betray my country.

You also have another option.

We will shift you to London.

You'll get so much…

that you won't need a medal…

or your uniform.

There's something special, sir, about this uniform.

It's not like any passerby can buy it off the street and wear it.

To wear it, you have to pledge your life to India.

Anyway,

I have told you everything I'm supposed to tell you.

You're a three-star general.

Your time is very valuable.

Don't waste it on me.

Jai Hind, sir.

He who cannot understand the difference between principles and madness…

neither I…

nor God can save him.

Aziz, what's the update?

Sir, I tried everything,

but he's very stubborn, sir.

If he is stubborn, then make an example of him.

Do you know what I mean?

Sir, but the international community?

Screw the international community.

Make such an example of him that before they even think of entering Pakistan,

their blood runs cold.

Sir.

Jai Hind.

"Compound fracture of the leg tibia.

Multiple gunshot wounds to the thoracic cavity and cranium.

Extensive…

cigarette-induced burn injuries across the abdominal region and genitalia."

Signs of deliberate mutilation, including broken fingers--"

Everything is visible, Doctor.

I can see it.

All that they've done to him.

Can we take the body?

Yes, sir.

But there is a problem.

What's the problem?

The coffin Pakistan sent his body in is a foot and a half too short.

And inside that only, they have…

So, all this?

- Who'll arrange all of this? - I'll arrange it, sir.

The situation in the Kargil War is becoming increasingly grave.

Today, even a joint operation of the Indian Army and Air Force

failed to recapture the Tololing Complex.

In this effort, both forces have suffered heavy setbacks.

The intruders, using surface-to-air missiles,

targeted Mi-17 attack helicopters of the Indian Air Force.

In just two days,

this is the third Air Force aircraft that has been shot down.

In this incident, Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir,

Flight Lieutenant Subramaniam Muhilan,

Sergeant PVNR Prasad, and Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu

have attained martyrdom.

Earlier, after shooting down Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's MiG-21,

the Pakistani Army had subjected him to brutal torture.

WAKE UP, PAKISTAN, OR BECOME A GRAVEYARD!

There is widespread outrage across India,

even as Pakistan claims

that Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja died from injuries sustained during ejection.

Squadron Leader Ahuja

unfortunately had been killed in the accident.

India has formally accused Pakistan of violating the Geneva Conventions.

The killing of a downed pilot, if confirmed,

would constitute a grave breach of international law.

This is a cold-blooded murder, an act of cowardice,

on the part of Pakistani regulars.

General Aziz, why didn't you tell us

that the Indian fighter pilot was tortured to death?

Sir, our official stance is absolutely clear.

Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja

died due to the ejection impact.

India is blaming us,

saying we are violating the Geneva Conventions.

America is checking in with me daily,

pressurizing us

to release the other pilot immediately.

Aziz sahib,

immediately start the process

of handing over that pilot to India.

Long live Pakistan.

General Musharraf?

Did you come straight from the airport?

I thought I shouldn't delay too much in delivering the good news, Sharif sahib.

China has congratulated us on giving India a bloody nose.

China is with us, Mian sahib.

And if America still pressures us to withdraw,

we can count on China.

That's wonderful news.

Meaning, we don't need America anymore?

That's right.

Sartaj sahib,

you and Nawaz sahib keep the Americans occupied.

It's time…

we deal with Delhi directly.

You were the one I trusted,

Tony.

Why did you let him go there?

Why?

Fire!

Fire!

BHISIANA CREMATORIUM

Sir, before the war of '71,

there was an explosion caused by someone else's safety lapse.

My father had shrapnel lodged in his body.

Even surgery could not remove them.

After a few years, he left us.

And today, we lost Ahuja sir.

He was like a father to me, sir.

I'm really very sorry, Sangy.

I have to fly in this war, sir.

I have to fly.

I have to go back to Golden Arrows.

To my family.

They killed him, Kamal.

They tortured him.

The bastards shot him point-blank.

And they're saying that

he died from ejection impact.

They're lying, and here we are sitting with our operation on hold.

Tony, it's not your fault.

I called him here.

I called him here!

This was not his regular posting.

"Ahuja, come." He came, and…

Hello?

Sir, Wing Commander Sandeep Chhabra is on the line from Gwalior.

Connect.

Sandy.

I'm very sorry, Tony.

I know Ahuja was special.

Sorry won't do, Sandy.

We have to bomb them to Dark Ages.

We're boiling inside, too, Tony.

But we can't fly the Mirages until trials are done.

Won't get clearance.

How much longer are your trials going to take?

I don't know, man.

French plane, Israeli laser kit,

old Indian bombs from 1971.

Hacking all this together

and making it work is a tricky setup.

But we are trying.

We're trying, Tony.

Well, listen,

Sangy wants to come back to you.

He is emotional.

But I'm okay with it.

What's he going to do even if he comes here?

The entire operation has been suspended here.

How strange, isn't it, Sandy?

You can bomb outside missile range,

but you don't have bombs.

The MiG-27 has bombs,

but they cannot bomb from outside missile range.

We have GPS, we can get close to the target,

but bombing…

Tony? Hello?

Are you there?

Sandy, I'll… I'll call you back.

I'll call you back.

We…

don't need to halt the operation.

Meaning?

Kamal, we…

We can bomb, but…

But?

But what?

I will not get permission.

Permission?

Did they ask for permission

before entering our country?

Did they ask for permission before torturing Ahuja?

Sardar,

do whatever you want to do,

however you want to do it.

Just do it.

They think sitting up there at that altitude, they can do what they want.

They are wrong.

We will mourn no more.

We won't take any more photos either.

Our jets

have cameras installed in place of bombs.

But the place is for bombs, isn't it?

Now, we will bomb.

We have GPS.

We can fly above the clouds

to reach our target.

And staying outside their missile range,

we can rain fire on them.

It's never been done before.

But we'll do it.

- Are you with me? - Yes, sir!

Tony, when was the last time a photo-recce squadron

took on the role of a bombing squadron?

That too in the middle of a war.

Sir, when was the last time any air force in the world

fought a war at 18,000 feet?

My objection is purely technical.

MiGs are designed to drop bombs from 20,000 feet.

Not from 30,000 feet.

Sir, the machine is ready and so is the squadron.

And you yourself said that

we need to bomb them from outside their missile range,

just like the Mirages. So we're outside their missile range.

Fair enough.

The army will give you the coordinates of the peaks.

But how will you calculate your bomb release point?

Sir, we will conduct our own trials

and create our own charts.

All right.

I will officially

give you clearance for high-altitude GPS bombing.

But…

the error rate of your trials

should be within 200 meters.

Sir.

The Army is struggling. They're losing men every day.

That's why I had to commit Air Force support,

even while knowing

that the chances of this unconventional strategy being successful…

is only five percent.

Like every time before, we don't have another option, sir.

Now either we will create history,

or get buried in it.

Subtitle translation by: Smriti Shalini