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India Today
a day ago
- General
- India Today
Air force pilot who led daring escape from Pakistan during 1971 war dies
Indian Air Force veteran Group Captain D K Parulkar (Retd), who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan during the 1971 war, has passed away, the IAF said on died near Pune, Maharashtra, according to a senior official."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 IAF posted on also shared an old excerpt from a gallantry award citation on him."My father passed away at the age of 82 due to cardiac arrest in the morning at our residence in Pune," Parulkar's son Aditya Parulkar told is survived by his wife and two was cremated in was commissioned in the IAF in March 1963. In past, he held various appointments, including as a Flying Instructor at the Air Force Academy, according to the excerpt."During the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire, and he was injured in his right shoulder. Despite the advice from his leader to eject, he flew the crippled aircraft back to base, for which he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal," the excerpt the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Parulkar, then a wing commander, while being a prisoner of war in Pakistan, displayed "initiative, pride in his nation and in the Indian Air Force of an exceptional degree. He was the leader of an escape attempt in which he along with two colleagues escaped from PoW camp," it was also a recipient of the Vishisht Sena Medal.- EndsMust Watch advertisement
Malaysia Sun
a day ago
- General
- Malaysia Sun
1971 war hero, IAF Gp Capt Parulkar, who led daring escape from Pakistani captivity, passes away
New Delhi [India], August 10 (ANI): A revered hero of the 1971 Indo-Pak War, Group Captain Dilip Kamalkar Parulkar (Retd), passed away on Sunday, the Indian Air Force stated. The Indian Air Force, in a post on X, announced the passing of Group Captain Parulkar (Retd), known for his extraordinary courage and leadership in orchestrating a daring escape from a Pakistani prisoner-of-war (POW) camp. IAF in its post expressed profound condolences, hailing him as an embodiment of unmatched ingenuity and pride 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 IAF Media Coordination Centre stated in the post. The IAF in its post outlined Parulkar's illustrious career, which began in March 1963 when he was commissioned into the IAF. He held various key appointments, including as a Flying Instructor at the Air Force Academy and a two-year deputation to Singapore. He also served on the ground tenure as Battalion Commander at the National Defence Academy. His valour was prominently displayed during the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict, where his aircraft was hit by enemy fire, injuring his right shoulder. Defying advice to eject, he skilfully flew the crippled plane back to base, earning him the Vayu Sena Medal for his bravery. The pinnacle of Parulkar's heroism came during the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Captured and held as a POW in Pakistan, he demonstrated exceptional initiative and national pride by leading an escape attempt with two colleagues. This act, carried out amid hostile conditions, required relentless hard work, determination, and valour in the highest tradition of the IAF. It compelled the enemy to respect the calibre of the IAF not only in the air but on the ground as well. For this distinguished service, the President awarded him the Vishisht Sena Medal. Parulkar's legacy as a symbol of resilience and patriotism has inspired generations of air warriors. His daring escape remains a celebrated chapter in India's military history, underscoring the indomitable spirit of the IAF during one of the nation's defining conflicts. (ANI)
Deccan Herald
a day ago
- General
- Deccan Herald
Air warrior who led daring escape from PoW captivity during 1971 Indo-Pak war dies: IAF
New Delhi/Pune: Indian Air Force veteran Gp Capt D K Parulkar (retd), who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan during the 1971 war, has passed away, the IAF said on died near Pune, Maharashtra, according to a senior official.."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 IAF posted on also shared an old excerpt from a gallantry award citation on Sindoor was unlike any conventional mission: Army chief."My father passed away at the age of 82 due to cardiac arrest in the morning at our residence in Pune," Parulkar's son Aditya Parulkar told is survived by his wife and two was cremated in was commissioned in the IAF in March 1963. In past, he held various appointments, including as a Flying Instructor at the Air Force Academy, according to the excerpt.."During the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire, and he was injured in his right shoulder. Despite the advice from his leader to eject, he flew the crippled aircraft back to base, for which he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal," the excerpt the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Parulkar, then a wing commander, while being a prisoner of war in Pakistan, displayed "initiative, pride in his nation and in the Indian Air Force of an exceptional degree. He was the leader of an escape attempt in which he along with two colleagues escaped from PoW camp," it was also a recipient of the Vishisht Sena Medal.
Indian Express
a day ago
- General
- Indian Express
Grp Capt Parulkar, IAF legend known for daring POW camp escape during 1971 war in Pak, passes away at 82
Speaking to The Indian Express back in 2017, Group Captain Dilip Parulkar (Retd) said, 'If we hadn't been mad enough, we wouldn't have escaped,' as he recounted the thrilling episode when he and two fellow Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilots had escaped from a prisoner of war (POW) camp in Rawalpindi after being captured by Pakistani forces following a bombing operation in the 1971 Indo-Pak War. Grp Capt Parulkar, a decorated fighter pilot of the IAF who fought in both the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, passed away in Pune on Sunday. He was 82. Parulkar, who had been ailing for some time, breathed his last at his home in Pune on Sunday morning, his family members said. He is survived by his wife Rajlaxmi and two sons Aditya and Sachin. He was also a legend of the 1965 war when his plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire, and a bullet struck him in the shoulder, yet he continued to fly in that operation. He was recipient of the prestigious Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry) and the Vishisht Seva Medal. Paying tributes to him, the Indian Air Force said in a post on X, 'Gp Capt DK Parulkar (Retd) Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal — 1971 War hero, who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan, embodying unmatched courage, ingenuity and pride in the IAF — has left for his heavenly abode. All Air Warriors of the IAF express their heartfelt condolences.' In the post, the IAF also shared the citation for Parulkar when he was awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal. The citation read, 'During the Indo-Pak conflict in 1965, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire and had injured his right shoulder. Despite the advice from his leader to eject he flew the crippled aircraft back to base, for which he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal.' The citation added, 'During 1971 Indo-Pak War, Wg Cdr (He was Wing Commander at the time he was given the award) DK Parulkar while a Prisoner of War in Pakistan displayed initiative, pride in his nation and in the Indian Air Force of an exceptional degree. He was the leader of an escape attempt in which he along with two colleagues escaped from the POW Camp. This attempt carried out in the face of a hostile, treacherous and unpredictable enemy required relentless hard work, determination and valour which was in the highest tradition of the IAF. This act compelled the enemy to respect the calibre of the IAF not only in the air but on the ground also, as well as our great nation.' Grp Capt Parulkar was commissioned in the IAF in March 1963. During his illustrious career he held varied command and staff appointments and also flew a range of fighter jets. He was posted as Flying Instructor at Air Force Academy, Dundigal and was also on deputation to Singapore for two years as a training instructor for Republic of Singapore Air Force. He also served a ground tenure as Battalion Commander at National Defence Academy in Pune. In an interview with The Indian Express in 2015, while recalling the episode from the 1965 war, Parulkar had said, 'We knew that we had to face the fire from the anti-aircraft guns mounted on the Patton tanks of the Pakistan Army. While we were flying back, one bullet hit the cockpit from below and further grazed my shoulder. It then passed through the head-rest of my seat and then went out the cockpit. I started bleeding profusely. My team leader asked me to eject but I did not and I continued to fly till we landed back at the base. We later came to know that the head-rest which was hit by the bullet had a crucial part of the parachute. Imagine what would have happened if I had ejected.' Grp Capt Parulkar had also spoken in support of women being inducted into the fighter stream of the IAF. In 2015, he said, 'Questions of inhuman treatment in case a pilot is taken prisoner by an enemy, are being raised as an argument. But these questions are based on a baseless assumption that women can not protect themselves. I would ask, what is human about any war. Wars are inhuman. And the women pilots who will volunteer for the job are well aware of it.' Sushant Kulkarni is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express in Pune with 12+ years of experience covering issues related to Crime, Defence, Internal Security and Courts. He has been associated with the Indian Express since July 2010. Sushant has extensively reported on law and order issues of Pune and surrounding area, Cyber crime, narcotics trade and terrorism. His coverage in the Defence beat includes operational aspects of the three services, the defence research and development and issues related to key defence establishments. He has covered several sensitive cases in the courts at Pune. Sushant is an avid photographer, plays harmonica and loves cooking. ... Read More
The Hindu
a day ago
- General
- The Hindu
Air warrior who led daring escape from PoW captivity during 1971 Indo-Pak war dies: IAF
Indian Air Force veteran Gp Capt D K Parulkar (retd), who led a daring escape from captivity in Pakistan during the 1971 war, has passed away, the IAF said on Sunday (August 10, 2025). He died near Pune, Maharashtra, according to a senior official. "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 IAF posted on X. 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… — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 10, 2025 It also shared an old excerpt from a gallantry award citation on him. Captain Parulkar was commissioned in the IAF in March 1963. In past, he held various appointments, including as a Flying Instructor at the Air Force Academy, according to the excerpt. "During the Indo-Pak conflict of 1965, his aircraft was hit by enemy fire and had injured his right shoulder. Despite the advice from his leader to eject, he flew the crippled aircraft back to base, for which he was awarded Vayu Sena Medal," the excerpt reads. During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, Captain Parulkar then a wing commander, while being a prisoner of war in Pakistan displayed "initiative, pride in his nation and in the Indian Air Force of an exceptional degree. He was the leader of an escape attempt in which he along with two colleagues escaped from PoW camp," it says. He was also a recipient of the Vishisht Sena Medal.
