SOURCE: AFI
Group Captain K Nachiketa Rao (Retd) is a name that resonates with courage and resilience in the annals of Indian Air Force history. His harrowing experience as a prisoner of war during the Kargil conflict and his subsequent journey is a testament to his unwavering spirit and dedication to his nation.
During the Kargil War, on May 27, 1999, Nachiketa was tasked with carrying out an airstrike on Pakistani positions in the Batalik sector. The target was a significant enemy logistics hub at a place called Munthu Dhalo. Nachiketa, piloting a single-engine MiG-27 aircraft, was airborne with his leader, firing rockets at the target when disaster struck. The ingestion of gas into the air intakes led to an engine failure. Despite multiple attempts to restart the engine, it became evident that the aircraft was not going to recover. At an altitude of 15,000 feet, Nachiketa had no choice but to eject.
Nachiketa landed in an area of Kashmir controlled by Pakistani troops, approximately six kilometers from the Line of Control (LoC). He was quickly captured by a Pakistani unit led by Captain Rao Tahseen Ali, along with five to six Pakistani soldiers. The area where Nachiketa had landed was later reclaimed by the Indian Army as the war progressed.
Following his capture, Nachiketa was taken to the Skardu base of the Pakistan Air Force in a C-130H transport aircraft and subsequently moved to Islamabad and then Rawalpindi. His interrogation by Pakistani forces failed to extract any useful information. During his captivity, Nachiketa endured severe physical torture, including high-voltage electric shocks and deprivation of food and sleep.
Nachiketa’s ordeal as a prisoner of war lasted for eight grueling days. He was repatriated to India on June 3, 1999, in what was seen as a miraculous return. The physical and mental scars from his torture and the back injury sustained during his ejection from the MiG-27 lingered long after his return.
Despite his passion for flying, Nachiketa’s back injury meant that he could no longer fly fighter jets. Instead, he transitioned to flying transport aircraft until his retirement in 2017. His resilience and determination to continue serving his country, even after such a traumatic experience, are truly inspiring.
After retiring from the Indian Air Force, Group Captain Nachiketa Rao transitioned to commercial aviation. His journey from a fighter pilot to a prisoner of war, and finally to a commercial pilot, underscores his indomitable spirit and his ability to overcome adversity.