He should be here somewhere.
That means he has landed on our side. What's the 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 had to eject! Let's go!
Ahuja is crazy.
He always goes overboard.
It doesn't matter.
He'll be back with us soon.
Sinha!
Ahuja has ejected. We have to go look for him.
What? When?
Just a while ago. We don't have much time. Are any of the choppers ready?
- Is Nubra 1 ready at the take-off point? - Yes, sir.
Quickly do the final checks. I want to take off in two minutes.
Has Ahuja turned on his rescue beacon?
Ahuja is not in friendly territory, Sinha.
And if I know him well enough, he will surely not use the beacon.
And he won't let them use it, either.
Where do you think you're going?
We are going to get Ahuja back.
Ahuja is in Pakistan, Tony.
That doesn't make a difference.
Our choppers are fitted with both guns and rockets.
We'll rescue him. You have to trust us.
What if you get shot down?
Then who will go looking for you?
It's a trap. A basic military strategy.
We can't just sit around here doing nothing.
It's a diplomatic matter now.
I'll talk to the government and take this to the highest level.
But we just 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 stepping point in the ongoing Kargil conflict…
Pakistan Zindabad, sir.
I've been watching the news, Aziz.
- Well done. - Thank you, sir.
But now this issue will escalate internationally, Aziz.
The American satellites will be watching the Line of Control.
So, for the time being, stop the movement of soldiers
and their supplies in the area completely.
Sir, India has deployed another 15,000 soldiers in the Kargil sector.
Halting supplies at such--
Now, what does it matter if they're 1,000 or 15,000?
It's been over three weeks since we were discovered.
We have killed 250 of their soldiers,
shot down two of their jets.
Could the Indian Air Force or the Army harm us?
Aziz, as long as we have the advantage of height,
the Indian Air Force and the Indian Army, we can crush both of them.
Right, sir.
I hope both the pilots are in our custody?
We have captured one of them, sir.
For now, he's unconscious.
And the other?
We've identified the area.
Search operations are on. We'll find him.
Very good.
Let's see now.
How many more pilots does the Indian Air Force send to die there?
We found the parachute, sir.
The station commander has come himself.
I hope it's nothing serious.
Mmm, no, he's not in his ceremonial uniform.
Ajay has had to eject during a mission.
We are waiting for further information.
The moment we hear something, we'll update you.
Ah!
He's running towards the bridge.
There he is! Behind the tree!
General Zinni, what a pleasant surprise!
Is it, Mr Prime Minister?
My office has requested meetings five times in the last week.
I apologise, 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 are 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.
Whom do you trust, General?
Your old ally, Pakistan,
who stood by you for the past 50 years.
Speaking of allies, Mr Prime Minister, what is your Army Chief doing in Beijing?
That's a personal visit. 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 this day…
is probably the most difficult day in my…
entire career.
With great regret…
I…
hereby suspend Operation Safed Sagar.
With due respect, sir,
initially we got orders that we were not to cross the LoC while fighting.
We did not do that.
Then we were informed that we cannot cross the LoC, even to rescue Ahuja.
We still didn't cross it.
But now we're told we can't fight from within our territory.
How can we do that?
Tony…
we have to face the hard facts.
We've lost two aircraft and two of our pilots in the last two days.
We can't give up without giving them a fight.
Sir, I agree with Tony. We should stay in this fight.
You are all missing the big picture here.
This here is the Western Air Command's Area of Responsibility.
From Rajasthan here, all the way to Jammu and Kashmir.
This is an area of 350,000 square kilometres.
In this map here, Kargil is only a tiny dot.
And if our losses continue at this rate
then in a month's time, to protect this little dot on the map,
the Western Air Command will get wiped out.
If the enemy opens up any other front, then how will we protect these borders?
Tony, I'm angry as well.
But we work on cold strategy.
We will strike them, but from outside their missile range.
But, sir, they are at an altitude of 10,000 feet.
If we can't achieve precision from such a close distance,
how can we from far away?
That's exactly why we are going to wait.
The target is at 18,000 feet.
The bombing has to be done from 30,000 feet.
And this can be achieved only with an advanced aircraft like the Mirage.
That's because only the Mirage 2000 has laser-guided bombing capabilities
which can lock the target far away from the peak,
outside the missile range.
And can strike and return safely
before the enemy reacts.
But, unfortunately, they aren't ready
because they don't have laser-guided bombs yet.
Guys, America has yet again rejected our request for laser-guided bombs.
Clearly, America is playing with us.
We have the capability, but no equipment.
So we'll build our own laser-guided bombs
and show the world how innovative and capable the Indian Air Force is.
We have these old 1971 dumb bombs.
We'll install these Paveway laser kits on them.
And we'll make this Mirage 2000 believe that these are laser-guided bombs.
Until this jet accepts our hack, we won't be going home.
Whatever it takes.
We need to fool this jet.
Sangy, sir, there's a call for you from Srinagar.
Hello?
Sangy.
Baldy here.
Baldy?
How are you doing?
Any update on Ahuja, sir?
Nothing at all.
Our operations have also been halted.
Yes, Chhabra Sir told us.
Listen, just tell me something.
What's happening with the Mirages?
When will they be operational?
We're trying our best.
Everyone's working around the clock.
Listen, Baldy…
How is Dhali taking it?
Wasn't he with Ahuja?
He hasn't spoken properly to anyone since he's back.
Maybe he's blaming himself.
We are all just hoping that wherever Ahuja Sir is,
he returns home safe and sound.
Nothing should happen to both our pilots.
Mr Jaswant, please communicate this to Islamabad.
Please ensure that they are treated well, otherwise the consequences
will not be good for Pakistan.
Very well.
Get him down.
Hey, hurry up.
Good job, Ajmal.
You know what you need to do.
Yes, sir.
Come on.
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja,
what were you doing so close to the LoC?
What was your intention?
As per the 1949 Geneva Conventions,
prisoners of war don't have to answer any questions asked by the enemies.
- Now talk! - Ahh!
Give a straightforward answer to my questions.
Why are you here?
First, you ask yourself…
as to why…
did you come to our country?
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 U.S. Secretary of State urged maximum restraint…
…reminding the world that a nuclear exchange
between India and Pakistan could result in 100 million deaths…
Aziz,
do we have the second pilot in our custody?
We do. We took him to Skardu.
Has he agreed to accept the truth?
Sorry, sir, I didn't understand.
Just that he was ordered to cross the Line of Control
and he was supposed to bomb our forward bases.
It is important to get an on-camera statement from him, Aziz.
So that we can mislead the world to believe
that India is the real aggressor, and not us.
I'll get this checked, sir.
But sir, General Hasan has told me that the officer is very stubborn.
Aziz, General Hasan isn't capable of doing everything, is he?
Go and see this yourself.
Copy that, sir. Understood.
I'll leave for Skardu immediately.
I am asking you again.
Which base did you intend to bomb when you entered Pakistan?
And I am telling you again…
my aircraft didn't have any bombs in it.
Nor was I supposed to enter Pakistan.
It's a lie! An absolute lie.
Which base?
Major Ajmal!
Come on, tell me!
Major Ajmal!
What do you think you're doing?
Hmph. Untie him.
Give him his uniform.
And you, go and get Dr Bukhari.
What are you making them do, Hasan?
This is Skardu, sir.
This is how we extract information here.
Hasan, this is different.
Do you have the slightest idea how important this man's statement is?
I apologise for how Major Ajmal has treated you.
But you see, you're very stubborn.
And our soldiers, well…
they respond to stubbornness…
in the way that they did.
What can we do about it?
You can do a lot, General Khan.
You can train them a little better
so that they are aware that any kind of atrocity on a prisoner of war
is a violation of the Geneva Conventions.
What Geneva Conventions?
Those are only applicable when the armies of two countries
are at war with each other.
Those people who infiltrated Kargil,
in retaliation of which you entered our territory,
are actually the Mujahideen.
I'm sorry, General Khan, I wasn't aware of that.
Funny how wearing a Pathani suit
can turn the Pakistani Army into the Mujahideen.
Aren't you worried about Ankur and Alka?
You don't need to worry about them.
They're in the safest place in India.
And you're here…
inside the safest army base in all of Pakistan.
Where no one can come to save you.
The fact is,
only I can help you here.
But for that to happen,
you will have to help me with something first.
Hmm?
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.
It means, "Your own roof is falling apart,
but you're off to repair other people's 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 calls daily 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.
Not only India, but also the rest of the world
is worried about your safe return.
And so…
we will be making a video recording of you.
Hmm.
Here we have placards with a message that we have prepared for you.
You just have to look into the camera
and read out whatever is written on this placard.
So, shall we begin?
Hmm?
Zubair?
I, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja,
hereby give this statement of my own free will
and in my senses.
Today, on the 27th of May, 1999, when I was…
when I was on a non-offensive operation within the official territory of India,
the Pakistani Army which had infiltrated Kargil…
What happened, sir?
Don't they teach you how to read?
Of course they do.
To read and write, and also how to fight.
But with principles.
What are they teaching you here, sir?
So, what you're trying to say,
is that your mission was limited to only the Indian airspace.
Then would you care to explain
what are you doing on a Pakistani Army base?
Sir, your Pakistan Army soldiers, who were hiding in our mountains,
had attacked my jet with their Stinger missile.
So I had to eject within my country.
But my parachute drifted into Pakistan.
So…
you didn't really have any kind of intention to enter Pakistan?
Affirmative, sir.
All right, I'll shoot straight.
Lie for us, just this once, then, Inshallah,
you can go back and get yourself a bravery medal.
No country in the world gives out medals for lying.
Anyway, no medal in the world is worth it…
if I earn it by betraying my country.
I'm going to give you a better option.
We can move you to London.
You'll get so much money
that you will never need either a medal or any uniform.
That's exactly what makes this uniform so special.
No random person can go out and buy it.
It has to be earned.
You have to dedicate your life to India to wear this.
Anyway, I've told you everything I'm supposed to tell you.
You are a three-star general.
Your time is very valuable.
Please don't waste it on me.
Jai Hind, sir.
A man who doesn't understand the thin line between principles and madness…
But I can't save him,
and I don't think even Allah can.
Aziz, what's the update?
Sir, I really tried my best, but…
the man is very stubborn.
If he's stubborn, then make an example out of him.
You know what I'm trying to say.
What about the international community?
To hell with the international community.
Make such an example out of him that their souls start trembling
even before they think of entering Pakistan.
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--
I can see everything, doctor.
I can see it.
Look what have they done to him.
Doctor, can we take the body now?
Yes, you can, sir. But there's a problem.
What's the problem?
The coffin that Pakistan sent him in is a foot and a half smaller.
And those people just…
So what is…
- Who's going to arrange all this? - I'll make the arrangements.
The situation in the Kargil war is getting increasingly worse.
Today, the joint operation of the Indian Army and Air Force
failed to capture the Tololing complex.
Both forces have suffered a major setback in this attempt.
The infiltrators used surface-to-air missiles
to shoot down the Indian Air Force's Mi-17 attack helicopter.
This is the third aircraft of the Air Force
to be shot down in the last two days.
In this attack, Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir,
Flight Lieutenant Subramanian Muhilan,
Sergeant PVNR Prasad and Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu
have been martyred.
Earlier, after shooting down Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja's MiG-21,
the Pakistani army tortured him in a gruesome manner.
There is widespread outrage across India
even as Pakistani military officials claim 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 inform us
that the Indian fighter pilot was tortured mercilessly before he was killed?
Sir, our official stance is absolutely clear.
Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja has died because of ejection impact.
India has been accusing us of violating the Geneva Conventions.
America asks for an update every day.
Puts pressure on me that the other pilot be released immediately.
Mr Aziz, you better start the process
of returning the other pilot back to India.
Pakistan Zindabad.
General Musharraf, did you come straight from the airport?
I thought I shouldn't wait too long to share the good news, Mr Sharif.
China has congratulated us for punching India right in its nose.
China is going to back us, Mr Prime Minister.
And if America still pressures us to make a withdrawal,
then we can most definitely count on China.
That's actually very good news.
Which means we don't need America anymore.
That's right.
Mr Sartaj,
you and Nawaz keep America entertained.
The time has come.
Now we will talk directly to Delhi.
I surely trusted you…
Tony.
Why did you let him go there?
Why?
Fire!
Sir, before the '71 war,
an explosion occurred because of someone else's safety lapse.
Shrapnel pierced into my father's body.
It couldn't even be removed surgically.
And a few years later, he passed away.
And today we lost Ahuja, sir.
He was like a father to me, sir.
I'm very, very sorry, Sangy.
I want to fly in this war, sir.
I have to fly.
I want to go back to the Golden Arrows.
Back to my family.
They killed him, Kamal.
They tortured him.
Those animals shot him at point-blank range.
And they are saying that…
he died due to the impact of ejection.
They are lying to the world and we are keeping our operations on hold.
All the bloody operations.
Tony, it's not your fault.
I was the one who called him here.
I called him here!
He wasn't supposed to be posted here.
"Ahuja, come here," and he came. And now…
Hello.
Sir, Wing Commander Sandeep Chhabra is calling from Gwalior.
Connect the call.
Sandy.
I am very sorry, Tony.
I know that Ahuja was special for you.
Sorry won't cut it, Sandy.
We have to bomb them to the dark ages.
We are very angry too.
But we can't fly the Mirages without doing trials.
We won't get permission.
How long will your trials go on for?
I really don't know.
French plane, Israeli laser kit, old country style bombs from 1971…
Hacking all of these and fitting them together
is a very tricky set-up.
But we are trying.
We are trying, Tony.
Okay, listen.
Sangy wants to come back to you.
He's being emotional,
but I'm okay with it.
What is he going to do here?
The whole operation has been suspended.
It's so strange, isn't it, Sandy?
You guys can hit them from outside their missile range,
but you don't have the right bombs.
The MiG-27s have the bombs,
but we cannot bomb them from outside of their missile range.
We have GPS here, we can reach our target.
But the bombing…
Tony? Hello?
Are you there?
Sandy, I'll… I'll call you back.
I'll call you back.
Kamal…
we don't need to halt our operations at all.
Meaning?
We can…
we can do the bombing, but…
But?
But what?
I won't get the permission to do it.
Permission?
Did they ask for permission when they were entering our country?
Or did they take permission before they tortured Ahuja?
Listen, Tony,
do whatever you have to do.
Do it however you want to.
Just do it.
They think they can do whatever they want from that height.
They are absolutely wrong.
We are not going to mourn anymore.
And we won't be taking photos, either.
Our jets have been fitted with cameras instead of bombs.
But they were supposed to have bombs, right?
Now we will carry out the bombing.
We all have access to GPS.
We are actually capable of flying our jets above the clouds and reaching our targets.
And from outside their missile range, we can rain fire and havoc on them.
This has never been done before.
But we are going to do it.
Are you with me?
Yes, sir!
Tony, when was the last time a photo-recce squadron
took up the role of a bombing squadron and that too during a war?
Sir, when was the last time any air force in the world
fought a war at the height of 18,000 feet?
My objection is purely technical.
MiGs are designed to drop bombs from 20,000 feet.
Not 30,000 feet.
Sir, the machines are ready and so is the squadron.
And you were the one who said that
we have to bomb them from outside their missile range,
just like the Mirages do.
So, we are outside their missile range.
Fair enough.
The army can give you the coordinates for the peaks.
But in the air, how could you ever calculate
how early you need to release the bomb?
We are capable of conducting our own trials
and we will make our own charts.
All right.
I am going to officially
give you clearance for high altitude GPS bombing.
But…
make sure the error rate of your trials stays within 200 meters.
Sir.
The army is struggling, they're losing men every day.
That's why I had to commit support from the Air Force.
Even though I knew that this unconventional strategy's
chance of being a success…
is limited to 5%.
As always, we don't really have another option here, sir.
Now we'll either make history…
or we'll just become it.