Major Ajay Pal Singh Mahal

Major Ajay Pal Singh Mahal hailed from the state of Punjab and was born into a distinguished military family. His father, Colonel O. S. Mahal, was an officer in the Indian Army, and his brother too followed in the family's proud tradition of military service by joining the armed forces. Growing up in this environment of discipline, patriotism, and service, young Ajay Pal was deeply inspired by his father’s life and values. Right from his childhood, he nurtured the dream of donning the olive green uniform and serving the nation. Pursuing his passion, Major Ajay Pal Singh Mahal prepared diligently and successfully secured admission to the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), the cradle of military leadership in India. He joined the 74th NDA course and, after completing his training there, proceeded to the Indian Military Academy (IMA) at Dehradun as part of the 84th IMA course. He was commissioned into the Indian Army in 1989 and was inducted into the 33 Medium Regiment of the Regiment of Artillery. The Artillery Regiment, known for its formidable firepower and operational versatility, is the second-largest combat arm of the Indian Army.

As a young Lieutenant, he distinguished himself through his unwavering commitment and professionalism. He was known for his excellent fieldcraft and leadership qualities, which earned him respect among his peers and superiors. His proficiency in artillery operations was recognized early in his career when he won the prestigious ‘Silver Gunner’ award, conferred upon the officer securing the first position in the Young Officers Artillery Course—one of the most challenging professional courses in the Regiment of Artillery. After serving with distinction in his parent unit for a few years, Major Mahal decided to broaden his horizons and opted for the Army Aviation Corps in 1993. He underwent rigorous training to become a helicopter pilot, a role that demanded not only technical expertise but also courage and precision. Once again, he excelled and was awarded the ‘Silver Cheetah’ for being the best pilot of his course, underscoring his versatility and determination.

Beyond his military duties, Major Mahal was a man of deep intellect and spirituality. He had a profound interest in religious studies and built an extensive personal library containing books on the Upanishads, Indian religious philosophy, and other spiritual texts. His thoughtful insights and philosophical outlook earned him the affectionate nickname "Saint Soldier" among his family and friends—reflecting his rare combination of martial valour and spiritual depth. 

Op Parakram: 24 Jan 2002

In January 2002, Major Ajay Pal Singh Mahal was serving with the 3 (Independent) Reconnaissance and Observation Flight, a crucial Army Aviation unit operating under the Army formation based in the high-altitude Leh sector of Jammu and Kashmir. During this period, the Indian Armed Forces were actively engaged in “Operation Parakram,” a large-scale military mobilization launched in response to heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border. In this operational backdrop, Major Mahal and his unit were tasked with conducting critical air operations to support Army troops deployed in some of the most inhospitable and remote areas along the Line of Control (LoC). As part of these operations, Major Mahal frequently undertook reconnaissance, observation, and logistics support missions, which were essential for maintaining the operational effectiveness of troops positioned in isolated forward posts. These missions involved flying in extreme weather conditions, over rugged mountainous terrain, and at high altitudes where aircraft performance and human endurance were constantly tested.

On 24th January 2002, Major Ajay Pal Singh Mahal was assigned yet another such mission to provide support to soldiers deployed at a forward post in the Turtuk area, located near the LoC in the Leh sector. The Turtuk region, situated in the Nubra valley, is characterized by treacherous landscapes and is one of the northernmost points of India, making aerial operations there both strategically vital and operationally challenging. That day, Major Mahal, accompanied by his co-pilot Captain Pramod Lal Yadav, took off as per schedule to execute the assigned task. However, shortly after takeoff, tragedy struck. The helicopter met with a catastrophic crash, leaving no time for the aircrew to carry out any emergency procedures or evasive actions. Both Major Ajay Pal Singh Mahal and Captain Pramod Lal Yadav sustained fatal injuries in the crash and were martyred in the line of duty. The accident not only resulted in the loss of two courageous and skilled Army Aviators but also left a deep void in their unit and among their comrades.

It is noteworthy that this was not Major Mahal's first brush with danger. In April 2001, just months prior to this tragic incident, Major Mahal had narrowly escaped a helicopter accident near the Amar Post in Leh. Despite the close call, his commitment to duty remained unwavering, and he continued to fly challenging missions in service of the nation. However, on this fateful day in January 2002, destiny had other plans. Major Ajay Pal Singh Mahal was not only a brave soldier but also a highly accomplished pilot, who exemplified professional excellence and unwavering dedication. 

Maj Ajay Pal Singh Mahal is survived by his wife, Smt Navjot Kaur, and daughter Ms Guneet Kaur.