1971: Prisoners of War

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'This is my story.'

'That story which was never told.'

'And never heard. But was only witnessed.'

'And the eyes which witnessed it slowly...

...vanished into the darkness of history.'

'It is said that history was never written properly.'

'That is why the names of those...

...who helped make history do not find mention.'

'Maybe in the same way my mention...

...in my own story may not be written.'

'In 1971, a war was fought between India and Pakistan...

...which was named as the Bangladesh war.'

'Pakistan could not rise after that defeat.'

'Even we could not forget that war.'

'Because we had also fought gallantly...

...with the Indian forces.'

Parade, will turn around! Turn around!

Parade, will move forward! Turn around!

When did this happen?

3 days back, sir. The tunnel was dug from barrack No. 3.

There is no one there.

We were thinking of shifting some prisoners there.

How did this attempt evade your gaze?

It is been only 3 months since they have come here.

They are not even in a position to walk properly.

It is a very big task to dig a tunnel 19 feet long.

Who is this Suraj Singh?

Major Suraj Singh, 19 Rajputana rifle.

He was apprehended in Puri sector on 12th December

Due to devoid of ammunition.

Before that he was in Lahore.

It is heard that he has undergone punishment twice for

escaping.

Parade attention!

Good morning sir! - Good morning sir!

Good morning! Carry on.

Welcome major. How did you spend your night, major?

Not bad. I was with my own men.

Seeing the condition of your men you must have

understood...

...that such an attempt is futile.

He is deputy director, Colonel Sheriar Khan.

Joint Intelligence Bureau.

Ameeting should be arranged so that...

...I can meet a Pakistani National.

You have not answered my question.

And should be provided with a newspaper, daily.

And be given an explanation as to what is the...

...Pakistani government thinking...

...as regards to sending us back to India.

Or else... you will keep attempting to escape from here.

Who else was there with you?

I and... only me.

Ok! Barrack No.6! Come!

And Major... you should be thankful to our government...

...that even after being caught, you are alive.

You should be thankful to our government...

...that after the war ended they handed over...

...93,000 Pakistani soldiers intact, back to Pakistan.

I am seeing the generosity of your government...

...since the past 3 days...

...in barrack No. 6.

This is Pakistan. This is Karachi.

This is Lahore. This is Faisalabad...

...and this is Peshawar.

How are you Pali? - I am fine, sir.

Why don't they reveal where we are?

We can say observing this mountain range, Kabir...

...that we cannot be in the west of Pakistan.

And they cannot do a folly to keep us in an area...

...close to the border, sir.

But how did this happen so suddenly?

Indian soldiers from every Pakistan jail...

...have been held captive here.

Facilities have been increased.

The jail has been extended.

How did this change happen so suddenly?

All of them are from 1971 war in this barrack?

Some are also from 1965 war, sir.

But they are of no use.

Everyone has gone crazy. They shout slogans for India.

Unknown that they are dead for India.

Didn't you try to send them back?

Are they of any use here?

Sir, let alone their address.

They do not even know their names.

But sir, you are wrong in saying that they are of no use.

What do you mean?

Everyone is put to work.

Tomorrow is EID. It's a good day. Leave Major Suraj Singh.

Hey... listen. - What is it? - Hey listen.

Do Punjabis reside here in Pakistan? - Yes. They reside

here.

And the Sindhis. - Yes! They also reside here.

Listen. These Muslim brethren are here.

Yes. Then what happened.

I was thinking they reside in India too!

So what if they reside here! - Then why was Pakistan

made?

It was a mistake! We will not make this mistake henceforth!

Will you please shut up? Both of you! - Sorry sir. Say sorry.

Sorry sir.

If anyone wants to take a leak. Take it.

This truck will not halt anywhere.

It will stop somewhere. Where should we go? - Here.

Quick!

Be quick! - Hey!

Gotu... what do you say?

They are there at the back.

The valley is very steep. They will miss us.

We are weak in our legs. We will not be able to run.

Think again. We will not get this chance again.

Come back! - Pal! - Quick!

We are coming. Coming.

Easy. Easy.

There's no life in me! - Come on now! It's ok! Come on!

Come on!

Did you get it? Give it to me.

Brother, can I get a cigarette? - Hey, smoking is not allowed

here.

But asking is allowed, isn't it?

Hey! Come out!

Check their nominal rolls.

Guards, make them stand in a line. - Come on!

Are these our men? - I am seeing them.

And there are such jails also here?

What do you say Gotu? - I cannot believe it.

Has this country changed?

Guards! Attention! - Attention!

Hey Gotu, does the bedding smell so nice?

In Multan we used to sleep on the ground.

If we get some ground then, sir.

If there are 35 inmates in one cell. How would we get

space?

You realized this before time.

From which unit, sir?

21st squadron MIG 21, flight lieutenant Ram.

And this... - Gotu, flight lieutenant Gotu.

We started off from Ambala together.

Came down together and then caught together.

How many jobs do you do together?

Now we are earning together, sir.

Now we will get married together, isn't it?

Yes, you are right. - Don't choose the same girl.

Very good. - When were you brought here?

3 months before, sir. - What is the meaning of getting us

here?

Sir, I have heard that before slaughtering a goat...

...they feed it to its to heart's content.

Shut up! - Say sorry. Say sorry. - Sorry sir.

Sir, your clothes have been kept at your bed.

If you want anything let us know.

Can I get whiskey, Subedar?

You all relax. If you want anything...

...ask Subedar Ahmed.

Captain, I do not need Subedar Ahmed's help.

I will help myself.

Ok sir.

Good night, sir. - Good night.

Sir, you did not sleep as yet.

I was just enjoying the breeze.

How are they?

The same, as we were 3 months back.

What is the matter, Ahmed? - Nothing sir.

Thinking of your home?

No. Just like that. - We will reach. We will surely reach.

Kabir, it must be raining in Delhi, isn't it?

Yes sir, only if the weather bureau...

...has given the right report for a change.

And in your Pune?

Sir, all the 12 months the weather is pleasant there.

Pune is great that way. Jacob. - Yes.

It must be sunny in Cochin today, isn't it?

Yes, very much. It rains before time.

Yes Ahmed, what about Murshidabad?

I do not know, sir.

My wife was 3 months pregnant when I had left her.

By now both must have been born.

Why are you mocking me, sir? When I am here...

...how can a second one be born.

Why? Can't you have twins?

Get up. Come on, cheer up.

'Ahmed is worried... thinking of his family.'

'We all are worried... thinking of our India.'

'Thinking of our own families.'

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