During the operation in the Naga Hills, the outpost garrison at Sakhai was cut off on 27th March 1956 and the hostiles kept up the attack on the outpost throughout the night. Next morning an emergency message was received that unless an immediate airdrop of water and ammunition was carried out at Sakhai, the garrison would have no means of defence. The aircraft which had flown on a normal sortie earlier that day had reported fast deterioration of weather and had suggested stoppages of further flying. The garrison commander pressed that the airdrop was absolutely essential. In the circumstances Wing Commander Dhatigara decided to make the attempt himself. There was also the requirement that the airdrop should be made in a zone of 40 yards by 20 yards. On reaching the spot Wing Commander Dhatigara found that dropping zone was partially covered and the air was very turbulent. After the first run-in, the outpost informed the aircraft that dropping circuit should be changed as the aircraft was being fired upon when passing over the villages of Sakhai, Vishyepu and Khivi. But due to clouds no other circuit was possible. Wing Commander Dhatigara, disregarding the advice from the outpost continued the airdropping operations in spite of bad weather and automatic fire from the hostiles. The supply of water and ammunition was successfully delivered to the garrison in good time and good condition.

By volunteering to carry out the airdrop under very adverse weather conditions and in the face of heavy automatic fire Wing Commander Edul Jahangir Dhatigara displayed initiative, courage and skill which was in the best traditions of the I.A.F.

From Gp Capt Anant Bewoor:

With regret I place on this site the news that Air Marshal Edul Dhatigara has paased on. This happened in the morning (4th October 2010) at about 0700 hrs.

From Air Marshal S G Inamdar:

Sad news. RIP!   Quite apart from the late Air Mshl EJ Dhatigara's many accomplishments and sterling attributes, I can't think of any other Air Officer who lent his name to a perennial and outstanding culinary delight in the Air Force: the "Dhatigara Bhujia"!   The "Sandhu Daal" at the Delux Dhaba in Ambala, named after the late Air Cmde AJS 'Ajax' Sandhu, could possibly run a close second!