SOURCE: AFI

The recently released film “Sky Force,” starring Akshay Kumar, Veer Pahariya, and Sara Ali Khan, has rekindled interest in one of the most tumultuous chapters of Indo-Pak relations – the 1965 war. While the movie celebrates the valor and victory of India’s armed forces, it also brings to light a somber moment from that conflict, the tragic loss of an Indian Chief Minister, Balwantrai Mehta.
“Sky Force” has not only been a box office hit but also a cultural phenomenon, with audiences leaving theaters chanting “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Vande Mataram,” reflecting a surge of national pride. However, this pride comes with a reminder of the war’s grim realities, including the incident that claimed the life of Gujarat’s then-Chief Minister.
On September 19, 1965, amidst the peak of the Indo-Pakistani hostilities, Balwantrai Gopalji Mehta, a prominent Congress leader and the sitting Chief Minister of Gujarat, was on a journey that would tragically be his last. Accompanied by his wife Sarojben, three staff members, a journalist, and two crew members, Mehta flew in a helicopter from Mithapur towards the Kutch border, a region that had seen intense fighting.
The aircraft, piloted by Jahangir Engineer, was mistakenly identified by Pakistani forces as a potential reconnaissance mission. According to reports, Pakistan Air Force pilot Qais Hussain, only 25 at the time, was ordered to engage after receiving clearance from his ground control. Despite the helicopter signaling distress by waggling its wings, Hussain fired upon it, leading to the aircraft’s immediate destruction. The crash resulted in the death of all aboard, marking a dark chapter in the war’s history.
This incident, often overshadowed by the broader narrative of the war, highlights the human cost of conflict. Balwantrai Mehta, remembered not just as a leader but as the architect of Panchayati Raj in India, became the only sitting Chief Minister to lose his life in a war, a fact that resonates deeply with the Indian populace.
The film “Sky Force,” while focusing on the heroic aspects of the war, inadvertently educates its viewers about these lesser-known tragedies. It’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made during the war, which claimed thousands of lives, and the thin line between duty and disaster in the heat of battle.
As viewers continue to laud the film for its depiction of courage, it also serves as a moment to reflect on the complexities of war, where victories are shadowed by significant losses. This narrative intertwines with the movie’s portrayal of the 1965 war, ensuring that while we celebrate our heroes, we also remember those who fell, including figures like Balwantrai Mehta, whose contributions to the nation extend far beyond the battlefield.
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