Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu was born on 29 November 1971 in Cuttack, in the state of Odisha. He was the son of Shri Krishna Chandra Sahu. Unmarried and with no siblings, he devoted himself wholeheartedly to his duty and to the service of the nation. He was enrolled in the Indian Air Force on 03 August 1989. From the very beginning of his career, he displayed sincerity, discipline, and a deep sense of responsibility. Through dedication and professional competence, he qualified as a Flight Engineer on 24 May 1997, marking a significant milestone in his service career. As a Flight Engineer, Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu served on the Mi-17 helicopter fleet, on which he accumulated 360 hours of flying experience. He was regarded as a meticulous and dependable aircrew member who approached every mission with thorough preparation and attention to detail. His enthusiasm for flying missions and his commitment to operational excellence earned him the respect of his colleagues and superiors alike.
Throughout his service, he was posted to several Air Force stations across India, gaining wide-ranging operational exposure. In addition to serving in both Mi-8 and Mi-17 helicopter squadrons, he also contributed to the technical maintenance team for Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27 aircraft at a forward fighter base in the eastern region. This diverse experience reflected not only his technical proficiency but also his adaptability and willingness to undertake varied responsibilities. Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu’s career stands as a testament to his professionalism, dedication, and unwavering commitment to duty in the service of the nation.
Operation Safed Sagar: 28 May 1999
In May 1999, Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu was serving with the No. 152 Helicopter Unit of the Indian Air Force. The unit had originally been raised on 14 September 1988 at Air Force Station Sarsawa with Wing Commander Ronald Banerjee as its first 'Commanding Officer'. It was designated No. 152 Helicopter Unit and adopted the nickname “Mighty Armours” along with the motto “Apatsu Mitram” — meaning “A friend in time of need.” The motto aptly reflected the squadron’s ethos of constant readiness, resilience, and dependable support during both operational and humanitarian missions. From its inception, the unit was equipped with the Mil Mi-17, one of the most versatile medium-lift helicopters in the IAF inventory. These aircraft enabled the squadron to undertake a wide spectrum of roles, including tactical troop transport, logistics supply, casualty evacuation, and support to ground forces. Throughout the early to mid-1990s, under a succession of experienced commanding officers, the unit steadily strengthened its operational base. It focused on building proficiency in transport, airlift, and tactical missions, while maintaining high standards of training and flight safety. During this period, the squadron routinely carried out peacetime tasks such as troop and equipment movement, logistic support, and participation in joint exercises and operational training activities. By the late 1990s, No. 152 Helicopter Unit had matured into a fully operational and combat-ready helicopter unit, well-trained for high-risk missions. During the 1999 Kargil conflict — code-named Operation Safed Sagar by the Indian Air Force — the unit played an active and demanding combat support role, operating in challenging mountainous terrain under hostile conditions. Its performance during the conflict reflected the professionalism, courage, and dedication that had defined the squadron since its raising.
On 27 May 1999, at the height of the Kargil War, the Indian Air Force formally launched combat air operations under Operation Safed Sagar. The objective of these operations was threefold: to provide direct air support to Indian Army units engaged in clearing infiltrators, to carry out precision strikes against well-fortified enemy positions, and to conduct aerial reconnaissance across the rugged, high-altitude terrain along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir. By May 1999, large-scale and carefully coordinated intrusions—carried out by militants backed by elements of the Pakistan Army—had been detected in the Uri, Batalik, and Drass sectors. The intruders had occupied dominating heights on the Indian side of the LoC, creating a grave threat to national security and to the vital National Highway 1A, the primary supply route to Ladakh. The Indian Armed Forces were therefore tasked with evicting them under some of the most inhospitable terrain and weather conditions in the world. While the Indian Army undertook gruelling ground assaults up near-vertical mountain slopes at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet, the Air Force complemented these efforts through precision strikes and tactical reconnaissance missions designed to degrade enemy defences and gather critical intelligence. As part of this coordinated campaign, the No. 152 Helicopter Unit was assigned the crucial responsibility of conducting attack missions over the Drass sector. Operating under the command of Wing Commander Sanjay Kumar Mittal, the unit flew into heavily defended hostile airspace at extreme altitudes, confronting enemy fire and severe operational challenges in support of ground forces.
On 28 May 1999, during the height of the Kargil War, Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu was assigned a critical combat mission as the Flight Engineer of an Indian Air Force Mi-17 helicopter tasked with striking enemy positions at Point 5140 in the Dras sub-sector. The objective lay at a daunting altitude of approximately 5.1 kilometres, where well-entrenched hostile forces occupied dominating heights and posed a grave threat to advancing Indian Army formations. The crew for this high-risk mission comprised Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir as Captain, Flight Lieutenant Subramaniam Muhilan as Co-Pilot, Sergeant P.V.N.R. Prasad as Flight Gunner, and Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu as Flight Engineer. Operating as a cohesive and highly trained team, they were entrusted with neutralising fortified enemy positions that were tactically vital to the success of ongoing ground operations. All members of the crew were fully aware of the extreme dangers involved. The operational area was heavily defended and known to be saturated with shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles, including the lethal Stinger. The threat was compounded by the absence of an effective onboard missile countermeasure system on their helicopter, leaving it particularly vulnerable to attack. Despite this, and fully conscious of the potentially fatal risks, Sergeant Sahu demonstrated exceptional courage and professional resolve. Recognising the critical importance of the mission, he accepted the task without hesitation and prepared to execute it with complete disregard for his personal safety. The crew carried out the strike with precision and determination, successfully engaging and damaging the designated enemy positions.
However, during the breakaway manoeuvre after completing the attack, the helicopter was struck by a Stinger missile. The impact caused catastrophic damage. Despite desperate attempts to regain control, the aircraft crashed, resulting in the loss of all four crew members—Squadron Leader Rajiv Pundir, Flight Lieutenant Subramaniam Muhilan, Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu and Sergeant P.V.N.R. Prasad. This mission formed part of a sustained series of air operations that inflicted significant losses on enemy forces and contributed materially to the recapture of key objectives by Indian ground troops. In an exceptionally hostile and unforgiving environment, Sergeant Sahu’s actions directly aided the Army’s advance. For his outstanding courage, unwavering devotion to duty, and exemplary professional competence in the face of overwhelming odds, Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu was posthumously awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.
Sgt Raj Kishore Sahu is survived by his father, Shri Krishna Chandra Sahu.
Sarthak Agarwal
2023 at 11:29 amReading about such acts of bravery fills my heart with so much of patriotism that it overflows. Sticking to the end and not leaving your comrades behind even in such a dire situation is a skill that can be seen only in the army. I salute to the efforts displayed by the Sergeant Raj Kishore Sahu whose valiant efforts could made it possible to push the enemy back to its base. May your divine soul Rest In Peace and may God grant your father enough strength to bear this immense loss!
Once again, I salute to your efforts to the nation! Thank you for all your services. You will always be remembered in all of our hearts.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!
ASHOK KUMAR DAS
2023 at 11:30 amRaju you are the real hero of our country. We feel proud of you friend . I always remember those days in training centre where you used to make specifically to me to practice parade in front of our billet to get rid of mass punishment from CPL P C Diwan Sir because of my fault. You are great.
Yours loving friend. Aska 729919
Dillip Kumar Mohapatra
2023 at 11:31 amDost tujhe salam.I love you and miss you so much.You made us and every indian proud.We once joined and trained together.I remember those beautiful days lived together in same Barrack and our beds used to be next to each other.Love live Rajkishore..A friend forever Dillip Kumar Mohapatra.729925.
Debendra Sutar
2023 at 11:31 amRemembered in our hearts as an entry mate, and as a brave soldier. Jai Hind
From all ATT-06/ 164 entry a grand tribute and salute to you.
Satya jit jena
2023 at 11:32 amବୀର ଶହୀଦ ସାରଜେଣ୍ଟ ଶ୍ରୀ ରାଜ୍ କିଶୋର ସାହୁ ଙ୍କୁ ତାଙ୍କର ଅତୁଳନୀୟ ଅବଦାନ ପାଇଁ ତାଙ୍କୁ ଏହି ଭାରତ ବର୍ଷ କେବେ ଭୁଲି ପାରିବନି । ମୁଁ ତାଙ୍କ ଚରଣେ ମୋର ଅଷୃପୂଣଂ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି
ପ୍ରଦାନ କରୁଛି।
Satya jit jena
2023 at 11:33 amProud of Indian air force.
Touch the sky with glory…
Saheed sergeant Raj Kishore sahu you always give us inspiration .you may not forgotten from our heart.your sacrifice for our people may wrote with golden latter of our hystory.
Amalendu Ku Singh Naik
2023 at 11:33 ambharat mata ki jai
Aayush Kumar
2023 at 11:34 amभावभीनी श्रद्धान्जली,शत शत नमन!!!
Sumit Kumar Sahoo
2024 at 9:32 amProud of Indian Air force. We salute the bravery of our fallen hero. Your sacrifice is our legacy and history. “We don’t know them all, but we owe them all.”
“Our flag doesn’t fly because the wind moves it, but because of the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”
Ujjal Kumar Chatterjee
2024 at 4:41 pmSalute to our brave heart and supreme sacrificer for our nation. Proud to be part of mighty armour. Jaihind