49 years since the 1971 war, 54 Pow’s captured in Pakistan. But still, none of them returned back to their motherland, though many reports arrived time to time ensuring there presence in Pakistan. Last year after the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan, Punjab’s CM Capt. Amrinder Singh raised the issue of POW. But still, Pakistan refused the capture of the 54 Indian soldiers.
Pakistan never admitted their presence in Pakistan, instead, India released nearly 1,00,00 Pakistani POW’s in 1971. Relatives of 15 POWs reached every Prime Minister of India since 1971 war, from Indira Gandhi to Narendra Modi; but there was no positive news. Though Government managed to plan 2 visits of POW’s relatives to Pakistani jails in 1984 & 2007, then also they returned empty-handed.
A family member of POWs united under ‘Missing Defence Personnel Relative Association’. In 2011 Gujarat High Court order to Centre to consider POWs in Pakistan as being in duty and to pay full salaries to their families and retirement benefit within 3 months along with compensation. Even High Court requested the Government to reach ‘International Court of Justice’ but they refused. So Missing Defence Association decides to reach ICJ, UN, Red Cross Society; but all efforts were of no use.
Many Punjabi civilians who returned back from Pakistani jail ensured the presence of Indian POWs in Pakistani jails. Several proofs arrived in these 49 years to ensure their presence but Pakistan still refused their presence.
- In 2015 a Punjabi carpenter confessed of meeting to Indian POWs in Oman jail.
- In 1989 Benazir Bhutto confirmed the presence of POWs in Pakistan to Rajiv Gandhi.
- In 1982 Indra Gandhi received a letter from Major KJS Sandhu in Pakistan in 1982.
- In 1975 Major Ashok Suri wrote a letter to his father from Karachi jail.
- Ex ISI chief Riaz Hussain revealed that Major Waraich is in Dargai jail in 1972.
- Major AK Ghosh’s photo in jail was published in 1971 Time magazine.
- US Gen. Chuck Yeager spoke to Indian Army Pilots captured by Pakistan in 1971.
But these proofs never made a lead to those POWs. Their relatives, family members still live in their grief. They still have hope with tears in their eyes. And this pain will only vanish with their departure from the earth.
It pains me immensely that our bravehearts are still languishing in Pakistan jails. I am sure they think that their country has betrayed them. I have read about every officer and his family. I keep shedding tears and often awaken in the night thinking of them. How are their families coping with this unbearable separation and pain. Surely death was much better. You are at peace.