Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024: ‘They shoved an AK-47 into my mouth, what happened was…,’ Kargil war pilot narrates how Pakistan tortured him

Kargil Vijay Diwas 2024: Today marks the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas. On this day, the Indian Army defeated Pakistan in the Kargil war. Many stories related to the Kargil war are emerging on this occasion.

In this series, Indian fighter pilot K. Nachiketa shared how he was taken hostage by Pakistan during the war. He was tortured for several days in Pakistan and was handed back to India after about 8 days. He recounted what happened to him during that time.

Engine failure

Nachiketa was also part of the Kargil war. One day, he was flying a MiG-27 fighter plane and targeting enemies. During this mission, his plane’s engine failed, and he had to eject. As soon as he landed, he was surrounded by Pakistani soldiers.

Talking to NDTV about this, he said, “Three other fighter pilots were flying with us that day. Our target was a place called Muntho Dhalo, which was the center of Pakistan’s logistics base. We were continuously destroying our targets when my engine failed. I had no other option but to eject from the plane. When I got out, I saw that the plane had crashed in the mountains.

Stopped a young soldier from pulling the trigger

He further shared, “In a short while, I saw that Pakistani soldiers had surrounded me. At this moment, one soldier shoved the barrel of an AK-47 into my mouth. I was looking at the trigger. I was wondering if he would pull the trigger or not; maybe destiny had other plans. In the meantime, a young soldier was stopped from pulling the trigger. He was explained that I was also performing my duty as a soldier. After that, I was taken captive and brought to a camp.”

Handed over to ISI’s special cell

After reaching the camp, Nachiketa Rao shared that he was severely tortured there. He said, “Due to the ejection, I was in a lot of pain. I was taken to Islamabad and then to Rawalpindi by a C130 (plane). The next day, I was handed over to ISI’s special cell.”

‘Whatever happened was very bad’

He further shared, “I had to stay alone in the cell. It was difficult for me because they wanted to break me mentally, physically, and emotionally so that I would tell them everything. But I was lucky because after that, the third degree would start, which leaves marks on the body. They could escape by saying that I was not cooperating and trying to escape. But before that, it was decided to bring me back to India.”

Warm welcome

Nachiketa shared that he was then brought to the International Red Cross Society. After that, he received basic treatment. The documentation was handed over to the Indian embassy. Upon returning home, he received a grand welcome. His parents came to the airport to receive him.