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Updated Aug 13, 2026 · 21:25
Special Features Updated Aug 13, 2026

Abhay Verma's Emotional Tribute to Kargil Hero RS Dhaliwal Moves Fans

Actor Abhay Verma paid an emotional tribute to late Indian Air Force officer RS Dhaliwal, whom he portrays in Netflix's series Operation Safed Sagar. Dhaliwal served with No. 17 Squadron during the 1999 Kargil War and was among the youngest fighter pilots to fly risky night-strike missions. In his post, Abhay recalled meeting Dhaliwal's daughter and expressed his admiration for the officer's courage and determination. The series, directed by Oni Sen, explores the human experiences and sacrifices of IAF officers during the Kargil War.

"Kaash aapse mil paata": Abhay Verma pays emotional tribute to late Indian Air Force officer RS Dhaliwal

Mumbai, August 13

Actor Abhay Verma on Thursday paid an emotional tribute to late Indian Air Force officer RS Dhaliwal, whom he portrays in Netflix's series Operation Safed Sagar.

Dhaliwal served with No. 17 Squadron during the 1999 Kargil War. He became one of the youngest fighter pilots to fly risky night-strike missions in high mountains.

In his post, Abhay recalled meeting Dhaliwal's daughter while preparing for his role.

"Dhali sir, You're my hero. A real fighter. I met your colleagues while shooting and they have immense respect for you and how courageous you were. They hugged me tight and told me endless stories about the force that you were. Your courage, your determination keeps the soul of Indian Air Force alive..& mine too. I wish you were here to see how everyone is celebrating you and what you did to protect our families not thinking once about yours," he wrote.

"Saubhagya mera ki aapke naam ke saath mera naam jud paaya. Met your daughter, a bright beautiful girl whom i felt a strange connection when we shook hands. I felt thats the closest i can be to you. Hum dono hee ek dusre ki aankho mei aapko dhoondh rahe they & then we both swallowed our tears and talked for a bit. Bas ek malaal rahega.. Kaash aapse mil paata. Lekin mujhe yakeen hai aapka aashirwaad saath rahega. Jai hind sir," he added.

Operation Safed Sagar follows the journey of some of the Indian Air Force's youngest officers during the Kargil War.The series centres on the Golden Arrows Squadron, exploring the immense courage, pressure, and sacrifice involved in carrying out missions at extreme altitudes. Beyond the aerial missions, however, the story also delves into the human experiences behind the operation.

Directed by Oni Sen, created by Abhijeet Singh Parmar and Kushal Srivastava, and produced by Sanjay Routray and Sarita Patil from Matchbox Shots LLP and Mehboob Pal Singh Brar from Feel Good Films, the series features Abhay alongside Siddharth, Jimmy Shergill, Prajakta Koli, Adil Hussain, Mihir Ahuja, Taaruk Raina, Arnav Bhasin, and Amrita Bagchi.

— ANI

Reader Comments

Priya S

When I read about the 1999 Kargil War in school, I knew about the army but never thought much about the Air Force's night missions. These young pilots risked everything. Abhay's emotional post shows he truly understood the sacrifice.

Michael C

Such a heartfelt tribute to a true hero. Indian Armed Forces have always shown exceptional courage in the toughest conditions. Looking forward to watching Operation Safed Sagar to learn more about this untold story.

Vikram M

Dhaliwal sahab was a true hero. My uncle served in the same squadron and always spoke about the determination of these young pilots. Unfortunately, these stories don't get enough mainstream recognition. This series is an important step in that direction.

Sarah B

This is beautiful. You can tell how deeply Abhay connected with the story and the people he met. Stories from the Kargil War deserve to be told with this kind of respect and emotion.

Raghav A

"Kaash aapse mil paata" - these words hit hard. The Kargil War stories are part of our nation's fabric. It's so nice to see an artist honouring a soldier's legacy so emotionally. Jai Hind. 🙏

Ananya R

While I appreciate the tribute and respect the

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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