Meet Major Mustafa Bohara: Army Pilot Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice to Save Civilians in Arunachal Pradesh

Major Mustafa Bohara, Service No. IC-81741P, of the Indian Army Aviation Corps, exemplified the pinnacle of professional excellence, courage, and selfless service. On 21 October 2022, at the age of 27, he made the supreme sacrifice while performing an Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) mission in the challenging terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. As co-pilot of an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-WSI) Rudra, he displayed extraordinary composure and valour by directing the burning aircraft away from a populated area and an ammunition depot, thereby safeguarding civilian lives at the cost of his own.

Born on 14 May 1995 in Kheroda village, Vallabhnagar tehsil, Udaipur district, Rajasthan, Major Bohara was raised in a family that instilled strong values of duty and integrity. He was the son of Shri Zakiuddin Bohara, who was employed in Kuwait, and Smt. Fatima Bohara. He had one sister, Alefiya Bohara. From an early age, he harboured a profound aspiration to serve the nation in uniform.

Major Bohara received his primary education at Uday Shiksha Mandir Higher Secondary School in Kheroda and completed his schooling at St. Paul’s School in Udaipur. Selected for the 128th Course at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla (November Squadron), he subsequently underwent training at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He was commissioned as a Lieutenant into the Mahar Regiment. Driven by his passion for aviation, he volunteered for and successfully completed the Army Aviation flying course, including advanced training at the Combat Army Aviation School in Nashik. He transferred to the Army Aviation Corps and qualified as a proficient pilot on the ALH-WSI Rudra variant, equipped with the Shakti engine. By 2022, he had been promoted to the rank of Major and was serving with the 252 Army Aviation Squadron in the North-East sector, where he had accumulated substantial flying experience in high-altitude and mountainous conditions.

On the morning of 21 October 2022, Major Bohara was assigned as co-pilot alongside Major Vikas Bhambhu for an ISR mission originating from Likabali in Lower Siang district. The crew also included Havildar Biresh Sinha, Naik Rohitashva Kumar, and Craftsman Aswin KV. The mission proceeded successfully until approximately 1028 hours, when the helicopter, operating about 20 kilometres from the Indo-China border near Migging in Upper Siang district, suffered a catastrophic fire. This resulted in rapid loss of altitude, extreme variations in attitude, and critical control challenges in one of the most demanding terrains in the country.

Faced with an unprecedented emergency, both pilots maintained exemplary composure under severe physical and mental stress. They had the immediate option to attempt a landing in a nearby open area; however, this would have endangered civilian lives and risked igniting an ammunition point due to the intense fire. Demonstrating exceptional flying skill and moral courage, Major Bohara and Major Bhambhu instead steered the aircraft away from inhabited zones and crash-landed it in a remote, uninhabited mountainous location at approximately 1043 hours. All five personnel on board perished in the incident. A joint search-and-rescue operation by the Army and Air Force subsequently recovered the mortal remains from the densely wooded site.

In recognition of their extraordinary bravery and professionalism, President Droupadi Murmu posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra to Major Mustafa Bohara and Major Vikas Bhambhu on 15 August 2023. The official citation states:

“On 21 October 2022, as a pilot and Major Mustafa Bohara, as a Co-pilot were on Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance mission in RUDRA Helicopter along border in Arunachal Pradesh. At 1028 hours post successful mission completion, 20 Kilometer to the border, the helicopter caught fire in a catastrophic manner. This was an unprecedented catastrophic failure. There was rapid loss of altitude and variation in attitude with aircraft in extremities of limits. Both the pilots being in extreme physical and mental stress in a life threatening situation maintained exemplary composure and tried to regain control and fly away from built up area and ammunition point of Mugging to save precious lives. Both the Pilots had the liberty to land in open area near Mugging, however, this could have resulted in loss of civilian lives and damage to ammunition point due to fire. Facing a deadly situation Major Vikas Bhambhu and Major Mustafa Bohara, instead of saving their own life, displayed extraordinary courage and flying skills, steered the aircraft and crash landed away from habitat area making supreme sacrifice in highest traditions of Indian Army. In recognition of their unfathomable courage, fortitude and professionalism of exceptional order, Major Vikas Bhambhu and Major Mustafa Bohara are awarded ‘SHAURYA CHAKRA (POSTHUMOUS)’.”

The award was formally presented by the President to Major Bohara’s parents, Shri Zakiuddin Bohara and Smt. Fatima Bohara, at a Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 5 July 2024.

At the time of the incident, Major Bohara was engaged to be married, and his family in Udaipur had been preparing for the forthcoming wedding. The tragic news reached them during these joyful anticipations. Smt. Fatima Bohara has since reflected with remarkable dignity and resilience on her son’s sacrifice. She observed, “Soldiers don’t die. They go on to live another life in the hearts of their family members and people of the nation they serve.” In another statement, she added, “I still feel my son is with us,” highlighting the enduring nature of his legacy within the family and the broader community.

Major Mustafa Bohara’s life and sacrifice embody the finest traditions of the Indian Army. His journey—from a young boy in a Rajasthan village with a dream of national service to a skilled Army Aviation pilot who prioritised the safety of civilians over his own survival—serves as a profound source of inspiration. Through his actions on that October day in Arunachal Pradesh, he upheld the enduring ethos of “Service before Self.” The nation honours his memory as a gallant officer whose courage and dedication continue to resonate in the collective conscience of the country.