Retd Air Marshal recalls moments spent in Pakistan

Air Marshal K C Cariappa (retd) has shared his moments of being a war prisoner for four months in Pakistan during the Indo-Pak war in 1965.

Air Marshal K C Cariappa (retd), son of Field Marshall Cariappa, had served as the Squadron 20th Leader of Indian Army during the war.

While conducting an aerial strike, Cariappa jumped off the fighter plane and got himself injured. He was captured by Pakistan Army. After receiving treatment at hospitals in Lahore and Rawalpindi, Cairappa was confined to an isolated room.

The then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan spoke to K C Cariappa’s father Field Marshall Cariappa on phone and asked whether he would like his son to be released soon, as a mark of friendly gesture. But, Field Marshall Cariappa rejected the offer saying that there were lots of war prisoners and he wouldn’t want Pakistan to give any special provision to his son.

Air Marshall K C Cariappa was released by Pakistan on January 22, 1966.

K C Cariappa recalled that it has been 50 years since the incident. Currently, he is residing in Roshanara Nagar in Madikeri.