Delighted to Hear of Abhinandan’s Release: Two Former Indian PoWs

Two men who were prisoners of war in Pakistan in 1971 and 1965 spoke to The Quint about being behind enemy lines.

As a prisoner of war, your mind goes blank. The only thing on your mind is, “What will happen to me?”

Retd. Wing Commander MS Grewal

With Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan announcing that the nation would release Wing Commander Abhinandan on 1 March, in a gesture of peace, The Quint spoke to two former Indian prisoners of war who were arrested by Pakistan during India’s 1965 and 1971 wars.

Listen to The Quint’s exclusive interview with former Air Marshal KC “Nanda” Cariappa and former Wing Commander MS Grewal.

Former Air Marshal KC Cariappa – Prisoner of War in Pakistan in 1965

Former Air Marshal Cariappa’s aircraft was shot down over Pakistani soil on 22 September 1965.

I ejected and I landed in the midst of a Pakistani army unit. I was paralysed below the waist because I hurt my spine in the ejection. I was admitted in a field hospital in Lahore. After being admitted, I spent some time in solitary confinement in Rawalpindi.

Former Air Marshal Cariappa

Former Air Marshal Cariappa said that the treatment they received from Pakistani armed forces was not inhuman at all. He added that their treatment improved by leaps and bounds once they were declared prisoners of war (POW) by the Red Cross.

We received Red Cross parcels. We were given the princely sum of Rs 65 as pay per month with which you bought your toiletries and condiments for food. The food could have been better (laughs).

Former Air Marshal Cariappa

Listen to the podcast for the full interview.

Former Wing Commander MS Grewal – Prisoner of War in Pakistan in 1971

You don’t know whether people at home know you’re alive or not. Once you get to be with your own lot, your morale skyrockets by leaps and bounds. If the civilians catch you, you’re in trouble. Like Abhinandan. In any situation like this, the civilians do the most damage. 

Former Wing Commander MS Grewal 

Former Wing Commander Grewal was shot down on 10 December 1971. He, along with 500 to 600 other Indian prisoners of war were held in Pakistan during the 1971 war.

He told us that they spent a year in Pakistan’s custody. Interestingly, both Former Wing Commander MS Grewal and Former Air Marshal KC Cariappa said that civilians were far more threatening than the enemy’s armed forces.

In the subcontinent, the villagers are always the first to get you. They have no mercy, they’ll bash you up. They haven’t signed any Geneva Convention.

Former Wing Commander MS Grewal

Listen to the podcast for the full interview!