17 Facts About Gunjan Saxena The First Indian Air Force Woman Officer To Enter Into War Zone

In a significant milestone for the Indian Armed Forces, for the first time, three female pilots – Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh – were inducted into an Indian Air Force fighter squadron in the year 2016.

But did you know that Indian women have been flying into the war zones long before Indian Air Force officially took them as fighter pilots? Women in the 19th century were not allowed to fly in the war zone as the extreme weather conditions and the mental pressure were difficult to handle. But during the Kargil war, India desperately needed participation from all pilots; hence Gunjan Saxena was allowed to participate. Here is the story of India’s first women pilots who flew dozens of helicopter sorties to evacuate soldiers from the Kargil war front to safety.

Gunjan Saxena is a renowned name as she is the first woman Indian Air Force officer. She with her counterpart Flight Lieutenant Srividya Rajan helped turn things in India’s favour in the Kargil War.

Let’s look into some of the interesting facts about Flight Lieutenant Gunjan Saxena!

1. Gunjan Saxena was born in 1975 in Lukhnow

2. She was born into an Army family

Gunjan’s father Lt Col (retired) Ashok Kumar Saxena, and brother both served in the Indian Army. She was highly inspired by them and wanted to follow their footsteps.

3. After finishing the schooling, Gunjan moved to Delhi and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Hansraj College, Delhi University

4. She attempted for the SSB exam and cleared the same

She had joined the Delhi Flying Club at the Safdarjung airport to learn the basics of flying.

5. She was among the group of twenty-five women who had joined the Indian Air Force in 1994

That was also the first batch of women air force trainees for the IAF. It was then Gunjan met her counterpart, Srividya Rajan who also go on to fly a Cheetah in Kargil War Zone.

6. Her first posting was in Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir.

7. Gunjan faced a lot of gender based challenges into a male-dominated territory

Back then many people were doubtful about women pilots will be able to cope with the physically and mentally stressful conditions of war. For that the women aviators often had to work extra hard to prove their mettle that they are as qualified as the men. Gunjan’s motivation did not fade away by the discrimination and she also recalls that the male pilots accepted the situation faster than she expected.

8. Inspiration behind Gunjan becoming a pilot

When Gunjan was in the fifth standard she was shown the cockpit by her cousin who was an Indian Airlines pilot since then Gunjan also aspired to become a pilot.

9. Got the chance to fly in Kargil war zone in 1999 and became the first woman Indian Air Force officers to go to war

During Kargil, Indian Air force needed every pilot it had and the women pilots were called in. Tasked with medical evacuations, supply drops and spotting enemy positions in the war zone, Gunjan and Srividya performed brilliantly.

10. Gunjan took an active role in rescuing the wounded soldiers in the Kargil war

Gunjan was a part of the part of “Operation Vijay” and flew over the Dras and Batalik sectors area and monitored the place for any casualties. She flew tiny and unarmed Cheetah helicopter efficiently and her chopper was a ray of hope to the wounded Indian soldiers in the Kargil war. She also had to closely monitor the Pakistani soldier positions in the war zone. In an interview to NDTV, Gunjan said,

“One of our main roles there was casualty evacuation. I think it is the ultimate feeling that you can ever have as a helicopter pilot. I would say it’s a very satisfying feeling when you save a life because that is what you’re there for.”

11. One of the many near death experience faced

In one of the attacks the enemy fired a rocket at Gunjan’s chopper which was ready to take-off at the Kargil airstrip. The missile barely missed the chopper and crashed into the hill right behind but she remains focussed and continued with her duty.

12. Always prepared for any possibilities

Gunjan carried a fully loaded INSAS assault rifle and a revolver with her on every mission. If in case she lands in enemy zone she was ready to fight till her last breath.

13. She was also famous as the “The Kargil Girl” due to her contributions in the Kargil war.

14. The first woman recipient of the Shaurya Chakra

Shaurya Chakra is a gallantry award presented for valor, courageous action or self-sacrifice while not engaged in direct action with the enemy.

15. In 2004 her career as a pilot ended after serving the country for seven years

As the concept of permanent commission was not there during her time.

16. Gunjan Saxena is married to an IAF pilot Gautam Narain

Gunjan husband is a Wing Commander in Indian Air Force. The couple has a daughter named Pragya and currently, they reside in Jamnagar, a city of Gujarat.

17. Her biopic Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl released on 12th August, 2020

The movie is directed by Sharan Sharma and Jahnvi Kapoor will act in the lead role of Gunjan Saxena. Pankaj Tripathi has played the role of Gunjan’s father in the movie.