IAF pilot captured by Pakistan in 1999 salutes Abhinandan

KOLKATA: Group Captain (retd) Kambampati Nachiketa, who was in Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s shoes during the Kargil War 20 years ago, said he was happy that Pakistan has announced the release of the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot and hoped that he will rejoin his unit soon. Communicating with TOI from abroad, Gr Capt Nachiketa stated that he was sure that the Government of India and the IAF are in touch with counterparts across the border to ensure his speedy return.

“Abhi is a brave and courageous pilot with high professional ethos befitting an IAF air warrior and all of us are proud of him. He should be back soon and will take to the skies again to defend his Motherland whenever called for. Any defence personnel will keep on doing his or her duty as per orders from commanders to the best of their abilities,” Gr Capt Nachiketa said.

In May, 1999, Nachiketa was a Flight Lieutenant when he flew his MiG 27 and attacked Pakistani-held posts at Batalik as part of Op Safed Sagar. He went in for a second attack with cannons when his aircraft suffered a flame-out and Nachiketa was forced to eject. He was captured. He was returned to India after eight days. Wg Cdr Varthaman’s MiG-21 also suffered a flame-out, probably after running out of fuel. It is also possible that he was the one who downed the Pakistan Air Force F-16 and had another one in his sights when his MiG went down.

“Wg Cdr Abhinandan has been made a POW in a hostile situation in the line of his duty and as per Geneva Conventions to which both India and Pakistan are signatories, he should be treated appropriately as an officer and sent back to India. My prayers and well wishes, like all other Indians are always there for his family in this difficult moment as they wait in anticipation for that crucial news of his return in a healthy condition,” Gr Capt Nachiketa, who is now a commercial pilot, said.

He also spoke on the kind of training that IAF combat pilots undergo to face such situations. “It was indeed disturbing news that he was captured but we are all trained and conditioned for this and I am sure he will be with us shortly and join back his unit soon. The anxious moments for his family should get over soon. After all, the heart of a pilot is always in the cockpit,” he added. Though Nachiketa was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal for Gallantry, he could not fly fighter aircraft after his return to India. Due to injuries suffered during ejection, he was transferred to transport aircraft.