When son was in enemy captivity…General Cariappa rejected Pak General’s offer

Army Day 2026: Today on 15 January 2026, the country is celebrating its 78th Army Day. On this day, 15 January 1949, an important change took place in the Indian Army. Lieutenant General K.M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of independent India. He took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir Francis Butcher, the last Commander-in-Chief of British origin. To commemorate this historical moment, Army Day is celebrated every year on 15 January. On this day the country expresses gratitude towards those brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

Pak general was stunned to hear the answer

General Cariappa was given the rank of ‘Field Marshal’ due to his extraordinary contribution. General Cariappa’s love for the country comes to light from the incident of 1965 when his son KC Cariappa was taken as a prisoner of war by Pakistan. At that time, the then President of Pakistan Ayub Khan talked to Field Marshal Cariappa. When they said that your son is with us as our prisoner of war. The reply given by General Cariappa surprised even General Ayub Khan.

How Pak Army made Cariappa’s son a prisoner of war

Actually, Cariappa’s son KC Cariappa was posted in the Indian Air Force. He displayed immense bravery in the 1965 war. They had entered the border of Pakistan with the Hunter aircraft of the Air Force and had hurt the enemies. During this attack, the task was given to destroy enemy bases in Lahore and South Pakistan. When their fleet of ships was returning after bombarding, they saw another enemy base. Meanwhile, suddenly shells started being fired on the planes from that base. Cariappa’s fleet also counter-attacked. But during this time his plane caught fire. Cariappa had to be ejected from the plane. He fell on the ground on his back. His spinal cord was broken. He was taken prisoner by Pakistani soldiers.

Treat yourself the same way…

The President of Pakistan in those days was Ayub Khan who had served in the Indian Army under General Cariappa before independence. As soon as Ayub Khan came to know that General Cariappa’s son had been captured, he contacted General Cariappa. During the conversation, Ayub Khan said that if he wants, Pakistan can release his son. But the reply given by General Cariappa to the Pakistani President stunned everyone. General Cariappa said- Treat him the same way as a prisoner of war. Now he is not just my son. He is the son of India. All Indian prisoners are my sons. If you want to release everyone then do it. There is no need to give special treatment to my son.

Cariappa joined the Indian Army in 1919

Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa was born in 1899 in Kodagu, Karnataka. His early education took place in Karnataka and later he took admission in the then Presidency College of Madras for higher education. In 1919, Cariappa was one of the few Indians selected for military training at Daly College, Indore. He joined the Indian Army on 1 December 1919. After independence, he took command of the Indian Army. General Cariappa retired in 1953 after serving in the Indian Army for nearly 30 years. After retiring from the army, the government made him the High Commissioner of New Zealand and Australia. He remained in this post till 1956. For his extraordinary contribution, the Government of India awarded him the honorary title of ‘Field Marshal’ (5-star rank) on 28 April 1986. He died on 15 May 1993 in Bengaluru at the age of 94.

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