Kargil hero Nachiketa returned after 8 days in Pak captivity, but never flew fighter jets

New Delhi: The capture of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is a grim reminder of Flight Lieutenant K Nachiketa, who was taken into custody by Pakistani troops during the Kargil war in 1999.

Pakistan released the Indian Flight Lieutenant eight days after his capture.

He was released through International Committee of the Red Cross, which intervenes to secure life and release of prisoners of war as per the Geneva Convention.

About his days in capture, Nachiketa recollected that some Pakistani personnel behaved badly before Pak Air Commodore Kaiser Tufail intervened and created a better atmosphere for him in captivity.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since independence, two over Kashmir, and went to the brink of a fourth in 2002 after a Pakistani militant attack on Indian Parliament.

India had argued that 54 of its service men were captured in the 1965, 71 wars. But Pakistan had denied this.

Nachiketa never flew fighter jets after his return. He was, however, made a transport pilot and honoured with Vayusena Medal.

Abhinandan was captured by Pakistan after an air combat Wednesday during which the two sides said they shot down each other's warplanes that followed an unsuccessful attempt to target Indian military installations in retaliatory strikes that sparked fears of war.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has demanded the immediate and safe return of the pilot.

It is unsure if Abhinandan will remain a fighter pilot on his return.