Balakot air strike hero from city Sqn Ldr Pankaj Bhujade gets Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry

In February earlier this year, Bhujade family living in Nagpur was a bit tense. For, their son was going to be a part of the team that would be rewriting the course of Indian military response to terrorism. Sqn Ldr Pankaj Bhujade returned as a hero... of Balakot Air Strike. On the eve of Independence Day, when Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) was conferred upon him, Bhujade family in Nagpur had a reason to celebrate, to feel proud. “I am proud. My son has made all of us proud..” said Arvind Bhujade, father of Sqn Ldr Pankaj Bhujade. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone, Arvind Bhujade’s voice got choked for a few seconds, with utmost happiness. “Now, we are very happy.

His role has got a recognition from the nation. But, recalling the memories of the day when he was out there on ‘the’ mission, still give us tense moments,” he added. The tale of Sqn Ldr Pankaj Bhujade’s journey so far is indeed an inspiring one. Born in a family that hails from village Madheli in Warora tehsil of Chandrapur district in Vidarbha region, Pankaj studied up to Class V in Zilla Parishad School, Madheli.

“For his further education, we got to know about the entrance examination to Sainik School. He cracked it, got admission to Sainik School, Satara, and never looked back,” recalls Pankaj’s father. In due course of time, Pankaj qualified for National Defence Academy (NDA). In 2003, he joined NDA and got commissioned in the Indian Air Force in (IAF) 2007. Later on, Arvind Bhujade retired from erstwhile Maharashtra State Electricity Board. The family settled in Nagpur. Sqn Ldr Pankaj’s mother Sunanda is a home-maker. He is happily married to Smita. A fighter pilot, he achieved excellence to the level that he was chosen to be a part of the brave team of the IAF that avenged the deaths of security personnel in Jaish-eMohammed terror attack at Pulwama in February earlier this year.

The IAF team included Wg Cdr Amit Ranjan, Sqn Ldrs Rahul Basoya, Pankaj Bhujade, B K N Reddy, and Shashank Singh. The team of Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft pilots, bombed Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist camp in Balakot town across the border. For the brave feat, Sqn Ldr Pankaj Arvind Bhujade has been conferred with Vayusena Medal (Gallantry).