IAF Pilot Captured by Pak Should Be Considered PoW: KC Cariappa

Air Marshal (retired) KC Cariappa was a prisoner of war during the 1965 war with Pakistan.

Former Air Marshal KC Cariappa stands before his father Field Marshal KM Cariappa’s portrait.

(Photo: Arun Dev/The Quint)

Air Marshal (retired) KC Cariappa, the son of Field Marshall KM Cariappa, told The Quint that the Indian Air Force pilot who was captured by Pakistan on Wednesday, 27 February, should be treated as a prisoner of war (PoW) as his plane was shot down in enemy territory.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was taken in Pakistan custody after engaging with a Pakistani fighter jet that had violated the Indian airspace on Wednesday.

“Even though it’s not (during) war, it is perfectly justifiable to consider him a prisoner of war. Since he was shot down in an enemy territory and being a serviceman, he would be treated with the (PoW) status under the Geneva Conventions,” he said.

Air Marshal (retd) KC Cariappa was a flight lieutenant with the No. 20 Squadron during the 1965 war. His Hunter aircraft was shot down while attacking a military target and he spent close to 6 months as a prisoner of war in Pakistan.

‘Proof of Life Is a Good Sign’

According to the former fighter pilot, having proof of Wing Co Varthaman being in Pakistani custody is a good sign. “During the 1965 war, there was no information whether a pilot was a PoW or not. In my case, my wingman saw me go down, but then, since then there was no communication... In this case, diplomatic channels are open. Let’s hope he is brought back at the earliest,” he said.

Since both countries are not at war, the retired Air Marshal said the Wing Commander could return sooner, compared to the time Indian prisoners were taken in during the Kargil war or the conflicts before.

The Wing Commander’s biggest battle would be “fighting the fear of the unknown,” Air Marshall (retd) Cariappa added.

IAF Pilot’s Training Will Be Crucial

Even though Pakistan has claimed that the Indian fighter pilot is being looked after, the country’s history is not promising, he said, citing the examples of IAF pilots who were killed and tortured in custody during the Kargil war.

He was referring to Squadron Leader Flt Lt K Nachiketa, who was taken prisoner of war by Pakistan, and Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, whose body was found with bullet injuries after he ejected from his plane in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. India has alleged that Sq Leader Ahuja had been shot dead by Pakistani troops.

The (retd) Air Marshall said Wing Commander Varthaman’s training will play huge role now.

“When I was shot down, there was no training at all for this. The only training given to us was jungle and snow survival. There was no anti-indoctrination or training to withstand interrogation. But post 1965, I think, this kind of training is provided to our pilots,” he said.

Don’t Share Videos of IAF Pilot on Social Media

In an appeal to the public, the retired Air Marshal asked people not to share videos, purportedly of the pilot, on social media. “He has a family. As countrymen, we should stand by his family and not share these videos. And there are several reports are being sent suggesting IAF didn’t hit the targets in Pakistan. An air force like ours, with 12 aircraft, can’t miss a target. We should stop sharing this information on social media,” he said.