‘Not cigarette butts, but shells’: Ex-Air Chief on MiG-21 sorties during Operation Safed Sagar
Former Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, a MiG-21 pilot who led the Golden Arrows squadron during the Kargil War, recounted the challenges of flying the aircraft at extreme altitudes in the documentary "The Last Salute: A Love Letter to MiG-21." Dhanoa explained that the pilots and ground crews had to devise improvised solutions to ensure the MiG-21 performed accurately at altitudes between 14,000 to 15,000 feet.
During one mission, Dhanoa executed a night strike on a target hidden inside a valley, marveling at the snow-capped mountains and the moonlit battlefield below. When the squadron returned, Flying Officer Rajpal Singh Dhaliwal told Dhanoa about the artillery shells his men spotted, which Dhanoa realized were actually cigarette butts.
The MiG-21 served in various roles during Operation Safed Sagar, including photo reconnaissance, strike missions, and air defense, as noted by Wing Commander Jaideep Singh. The documentary highlights the Indian Air Force's impact on the Pakistani forces, who were reportedly short on rations and ammunition.
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