PoWs must be treated with respect, dignity

Major RK Bali (retd)
Veteran of 1962, 1965 and 1971 wars

VIDEOS of an IAF pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, being roughed up and questioned in Pakistan have turned the spotlight on the treatment of soldiers captured in the enemy territory during a military confrontation. In a time when social media moulds public sentiment, it is easy for people to witness the events live, whether it is a terrorist attack or the way a soldier is being treated behind enemy lines.

It is heart-rending and regretful to see a valiant soldier not being accorded respect and dignity. The way a country’s armed forces treat enemy soldiers speaks volumes about the ethos and traditions upheld by them. Varthaman’s videos and TV coverage took me about 54 years back to another conflict and a prisoner of war (PoW), who surely has a different story to tell than the IAF pilot.

It was 1965, and the place was Rann of Kutch, the scene of the India-Pakistan war. I was a 27-year-old Major from 2nd Battalion of the Sikh Light Infantry in charge of the Vigokot and Sardar Post on the India-Pakistan border. With the confrontation between the two neighbours escalating into a full-fledged war, I and my men had the responsibility of taking on the enemy soldiers head on. While there were several direct encounters, too, which we repulsed effectively, the enemy would try to enter our 

territory stealthily. We had a minefield around our post to sabotage 

any such intrusion.

On the night of June 16, a Pakistani patrol led by Major Khurch Khan Afridi got trapped in our minefield, which had deadly bouncing mines. He and his two soldiers were seriously wounded. But as they were armed, we couldn’t risk approaching them directly. So, as a few of my soldiers diverted their attention, I manoeuvred through the minefield to reach the trio. I was followed by my sahayak-cum-runner, Kashmira Singh, and wireless operator Amrik Singh. Both followed my marked footsteps to avoid stepping on a landmine, as we neither had any map of the minefield nor any mine lane. We surprised Major Afridi from the rear flank, and disarmed him of the loaded light machine gun (LMG), which he had been aiming at my troops. We disarmed him of his weapons, including a pistol and some grenades. I still remember the interesting conversation with him in the minefield.

Me: Who the hell are you?

Afridi: I am Major Khurch Khan Afridi.

Me: What are you doing here?

Afridi: I came to provoke you.

Me: I am afraid it did not happen.

Given that all three Pakistanis were disarmed and wounded, it was my duty to show compassion towards the PoWs. I left my water bottle with them and returned through the live minefield once again to get medical help for them. The medical officer bravely volunteered to accompany us. We again reached the wounded enemy soldiers. The medical officer examined them and administered first aid. He recommended immediate evacuation for all three as the condition of two of them was serious and warranted immediate medical treatment. 

We first picked up Major Afridi and brought him to the MI (medical inspection) room. After leaving the officer with the doctor, I and my sahayak went through the minefield for the third time to pick up the remaining two wounded PoWs. By that time, one of the soldiers had succumbed to his injuries. We picked up the Naik, but he didn’t make it to the MI room and died on the way. All three of us had tears in our eyes on failing to save the man. Considering the risk we took to save them, we lamented that he did not live to enjoy his freedom.

According to the doctor's advice, Major Afridi had to be evacuated to a hospital to be treated by a specialist. A helicopter was required. My position was at a lower level and was within the range of Pakistani machine guns. Therefore, I requested the enemy commander to not fire on the chopper that was going to evacuate their fellow officer. He assured me that they would honour my request. The Pakistani Major was evacuated by helicopter and sent to Pune Command Hospital. When the Southern Army Commander, Lt Gen Moti Sagar, visited him in the hospital, Major Afridi requested him to convey his thanks to me for saving his life at great personal risk.

After the ceasefire, when we were busy clearing the mines at my post, Lt Gen Moti Sagar paid a surprise visit. He greeted me with a smile and hugged me, and conveyed Major Afridi’s message. Having tea in a field cup with the General that day was an honour equivalent to a gallantry medal for me as it showed that I had upheld the glorious tradition of our Army of giving full honour to a PoW. I hope that our vengeful neighbour will treat our air warrior with respect and ensure that he returns safely as it is the responsibility of every soldier to honour and respect the uniform and the men in uniform irrespective of the army and the country they belong to.