The son of the country's first army chief was stuck in Pakistan, when Ayub Khan called him he said- 'Don't show any mercy'

Sena Diwas 2025: Army Day is celebrated every year on 15 January. On this occasion, we are going to tell a story related to the bravery of the country's first Army Chief KM Cariappa, when his son was trapped in Pakistan and he refused to save his son.
Army Day 2025: Today is Army Day, this is the day when the Indian Army got an Indian chief for the first time, before this all the army chiefs were British. KM Cariappa was chosen as the first Army Chief of the independent country. The story of his becoming the president is very interesting, but here we will tell you the story of KM Cariappa when his son was in the custody of Pakistan and if he wanted, he could have freed him but he did not do so.
The incident happened during the 1965 war
Actually, there was a war between India and Pakistan in 1965. During this time, KM Cariappa's son KC Cariappa was serving in the Indian Army. In the 1965 war, Air Marshal KC Cariappa entered Pakistan's border with the Indian Air Force's Hunter aircraft. However, the Pakistani army shot down this aircraft and also took KC Cariappa as a prisoner of war. On the other hand, KM Cariappa had also retired from the post of Chief of the Indian Army.
Ayub Khan called Cariappa
During this time, the President of Pakistan was General Ayub Khan, who had worked under KM Cariappa. He immediately called his former boss KM Cariappa and told him that his son was safe and he would release him soon. However, KM Cariappa's reply was very brave. Without getting happy, he said that my son is not just my son, he is fighting to protect his country. Thank you for what you have done for him till now, but do not show special mercy on him, release him only when the rest of the prisoners of war are released.
Who is KM Cariappa?
KM Cariappa was born on 28 January 1899 in Chikmagalur, Karnataka. He had earlier served in the British Indian Army. However, after independence, he was elected the first President of the country. KM Cariappa was awarded the highest rank of the Indian Army, Field Marshal, in April 1986. Before him, this rank was given only to General Sam Manekshaw in 1973. So far, there have been only two people in the Indian Army who have received this rank.
PC:Zeenews