DK Parulkar, IAF Officer Who Orchestrated 1971 War's Most Daring Escape Attempts, Dies At 83
The nation is mourning the loss of one of its most celebrated warriors, Group Captain Dilip Kamalakar Parulkar (Retd), a decorated 1971 war hero and a symbol of the Indian Air Force's valour, who passed away on Sunday, August 10. His name is etched in history for leading a remarkable and dangerous escape attempt from a Pakistani prisoner-of-war camp, a mission that became one of the most daring episodes of the 1971 India-Pakistan war.
Remembering the hero for his might, the Indian Air Force (IAF) expressed its condolences and said that his daring escape during the 1971 war embodied 'unmatched courage" in the force. 'Gp Capt DK Parulkar (Retd) VM, VSM – 1971 War hero, who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan, embodying unmatched courage, ingenuity & pride in the IAF — has left for his heavenly abode. All Air Warriors of the IAF express their heartfelt condolences," the Indian Air Force posted on their social media handle on X (formerly Twitter).
Gp Capt DK Parulkar (Retd) VM, VSM — 1971 War hero, who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan, embodying unmatched courage, ingenuity & pride in the IAF — has left for his heavenly abode.All Air Warriors of the IAF express their heartfelt condolences. #IndianAirForce … pic.twitter.com/cti0X24u7g — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 10, 2025
Parulkar's capture came during the Indo-Pak war of 1971, when he was taken as a prisoner after a fierce aerial battle. Held in Rawalpindi's POW camp under constant watch, he met two other IAF officers, MS Grewal and Harish Singhji. The trio, unwilling to languish in captivity, devised a perilous plan to dig their way to freedom.
There were no tools, no equipment, and enemy surveillance was unrelenting. Yet, under the cover of night, the officers lifted a section of their barrack floor and began to dig, inch by inch, night after night. The excavated soil was concealed in their clothes and discreetly spread across the camp to avoid suspicion. For months, they lived a double life – prisoners by day, tunnelers by night, with the constant fear of discovery hanging over them.
At last, the tunnel was complete. Under the darkness of night, they slipped through their secret passage and stepped into the uncertainty of Rawalpindi's silent streets and open fields. Their destination was the border to India. Hunger, exhaustion, and the threat of patrols tested their resolve at every turn. Yet, their determination was unshaken.
They made it within four miles, just six kilometres from freedom, when fate turned. A Pakistani patrol spotted them, and the three were recaptured. The setback was crushing, but their attempt became a legend in the annals of Indian military history.
The story of this daring escape would later inspire the film The Great Indian Escape, immortalising their courage, ingenuity, and unbreakable spirit. For Parulkar, this was only one chapter in a lifetime of service. In the 1965 war, he had already proved his mettle when his fighter jet was hit by enemy fire, he still managed to land it safely, earning the Air Force Medal for exceptional bravery.
view comments
First Published:
August 11, 2025, 18:22 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Snake rescued from CM's grievance cell
Bhubaneswar: Volunteers of Snake Helpline rescued a juvenile Indian rat snake during the session at the chief minister's grievance cell here on Monday. The 1ft-long reptile created panic on the premises before it was rescued and released into the wild. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials said the non-venomous snake fell from the roof of the building and took refuge underneath a backpack inside the office. After spotting the snake, officials contacted Snake Helpline for assistance. Responding to the call, general secretary of Snake Helpline, Subhendu Mallik, reached the spot and caught the snake. "I received a call at 9:25am and rushed to the CM's grievance cell. It was a juvenile Indian rat snake, harmless and beneficial to the ecosystem. We ensured it was handled safely to avoid stress," Mallik said. The rescued snake was later released in a suitable habitat outside the city. "Indian rat snake (Ptyas mucosa) is a common species found across the country and plays an important role in controlling rodent populations," he added.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
School adds creative touch to dolphin conservation pledge
Mangaluru: The Govt High School, Badaga Yekkar, has gone beyond merely following a directive to administer a pledge on dolphin conservation. It has turned the exercise into a full-fledged awareness campaign. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As part of the govt's initiative, schools were asked to make students take a pledge on dolphin protection. However, English teacher Anith Kumar said the team wanted to give it more depth. "As soon as we received the order, we began researching dolphins in India and realised how vital their conservation is. One striking fact was that dolphins thrive only in clean water, which explains why they are found in the Brahmaputra and Ganga. However, over the years with increasing pollution, the species are facing a threat," he noted. The school prepared a multimedia presentation with videos, which teacher Ramya, coordinator of Vanasiri Eco Club, presented the same to the students. The pledge focused on respecting and protecting dolphins and their habitats, avoiding pollution of water bodies, rejecting activities that exploit these mammals, and actively supporting conservation. Students also learnt about Project Dolphin, launched on Aug 15, 2020, which aims to conserve marine and riverine dolphins through habitat protection, research, and community awareness, he said. To make the learning interactive, the school organised a drawing competition on Indian dolphins, encouraging children to explore the species further. The event held recently saw participation from about 75 students.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Foreign UG students worried over language provision in Calicut varsity
A section of foreign undergraduate students in colleges affiliated with the University of Calicut (CU) are worried over a mandatory provision on earning stipulated credit scores in additional languages in the four-year programme. At present, all the UG students are required to learn one among the additional languages, such as Malayalam, Hindi, Arabic, Sanskrit, and Urdu, apart from the English language, to get 39 credit points. Nine of the 39 credit points must be earned from the additional language itself. Some of the students belonging to foreign countries, who don't have a background in these subjects, but have got admitted to colleges here, are seeking a relaxation in the provision. The issue came to light recently when two students from Kenya, who have enrolled for (Computer Science) at Sullamussalam Science College at Areekode in Malappuram district, urged Vice-Chancellor (V-C) P. Raveendran to permit them to opt for English as their second language (Ability Enhancement Course/ Foundation Course). The students have completed their university admissions sitting and the registration is going on. Their Centralised Admission Process ID is yet to be allotted. Adrian Kipleting Kirwa and Chemiat Lukas Kiprutto, the students, say that Malayalam, Hindi, and Arabic are the second languages available in their college. 'Being international students from Africa, these languages are unfamiliar to us academically. Other languages such as French, German, and Russian are also beyond our experience,' they point out. Mr. Kirwa and Mr. Kiprutto say that English is a globally accepted language and the medium of their previous instruction, making it the 'most suitable and practical option' to succeed in their academic pursuits. The college principal has also requested the V-C to consider their representation and make the necessary provision to allow English as their second language. Abida Farooqui, Senate member of the university, says that the stipulation on additional languages may hamper the attempts to attract more foreign students. She claims that the courses on Indian culture and Kerala culture that are now prescribed under the multi-disciplinary course on Indian Knowledge Systems will suffice to give them a perspective on Indian culture and ethos. She suggests that the international students should be allowed to substitute the credit requirement for additional languages with either the same number of credit points in English language or any other language they are interested in. As per the data available with the office of the Dean of Students' Welfare, 47 foreign students were pursuing various courses in the university in the 2024-25 academic year. The admissions process for the current year is in process now.
