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Escape from Oblivion: The Story of a Pakistani Prisoner of War in India
Ikram Sehgal, a Pakistani Army officer, became a prisoner of war (POW) in India in peculiar circumstances after he was handed over to the Indians after the rebellion in East Pakistan in 1971. Along with officers and other ranks of mostly non-Bengali origin, he was held in an Indian POW Camp
that was established in April 1971 despite the fact that the India-Pakistan War that led to the creation of Bangladesh did not break out until December 1971. These 100 or so POWs remained undeclared by India throughout 1971. Kept in solitary confinement he escaped on the 100th day of captivity,
becoming the first Pakistani Army officer to successfully break out from an Indian POW camp in history.
Made from original notes taken during the period of de-briefing on return to Pakistan, this fascinating book gives an insider's account of conditions in Indian custody. It is a spell-binding and gripping tale of individual courage, of disparate friendships made in very adverse circumstances and the
will to survive.
that was established in April 1971 despite the fact that the India-Pakistan War that led to the creation of Bangladesh did not break out until December 1971. These 100 or so POWs remained undeclared by India throughout 1971. Kept in solitary confinement he escaped on the 100th day of captivity,
becoming the first Pakistani Army officer to successfully break out from an Indian POW camp in history.
Made from original notes taken during the period of de-briefing on return to Pakistan, this fascinating book gives an insider's account of conditions in Indian custody. It is a spell-binding and gripping tale of individual courage, of disparate friendships made in very adverse circumstances and the
will to survive.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published December 15, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
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February 8, 2021Haven't found it so far,but this looks interesting.The author used to write regularly in the papers and was a familiar analyst on TV news.
Before that,Ikram Sehgal was an army officer serving in East Pakistan in 1971 with a Bengali unit,2 East Bengal Regiment.War with India had not yet started but the unit rebelled and murdered the West Pakistani officers.Sehgal survived.
He would spend 99 days in an Indian prisoner of war camp and then manage to escape,knowing that he could be shot dead in the process.Interestingly,the camp had been established many months before the start of war,and these prisoners were undeclared.
Once in Calcutta,he even took the help of the American consulate staff,who gave him some money.He then moved through Delhi,Rangoon and Bangkok on his way back to Dacca and the book is based on his notes during de-briefing.Sounds like quite an adventure and he is a pretty good writer.
Before that,Ikram Sehgal was an army officer serving in East Pakistan in 1971 with a Bengali unit,2 East Bengal Regiment.War with India had not yet started but the unit rebelled and murdered the West Pakistani officers.Sehgal survived.
He would spend 99 days in an Indian prisoner of war camp and then manage to escape,knowing that he could be shot dead in the process.Interestingly,the camp had been established many months before the start of war,and these prisoners were undeclared.
Once in Calcutta,he even took the help of the American consulate staff,who gave him some money.He then moved through Delhi,Rangoon and Bangkok on his way back to Dacca and the book is based on his notes during de-briefing.Sounds like quite an adventure and he is a pretty good writer.
January 29, 2021
Very beautifully written, motivational, and at the same time sad. It should give the reader a very informative glimpse into the events leading up to the Separation of Bangladesh in 1971. It is important to note that Ikram Sehgal's father was a Punjabi, and his mother Bengali, which is why I think this is one of the most accurate and unbiased accounts of 1971.
As Air Marshal (Retd) Asghar Khan has said in the foreword, this story is stuff of movies. I think even a TV show.
Was very hard to find this book. Once I started reading, I finished it in two days. I think this is the fastest I have read a book.
The author keeps giving some life lessons along with his story, and from a man of such calibre, I am happy to take them.
As Air Marshal (Retd) Asghar Khan has said in the foreword, this story is stuff of movies. I think even a TV show.
Was very hard to find this book. Once I started reading, I finished it in two days. I think this is the fastest I have read a book.
The author keeps giving some life lessons along with his story, and from a man of such calibre, I am happy to take them.
July 31, 2025
From a reader's perspective, I expected a more detailed and theatrical escape-from-camp story, and I don't understand the decision to include that right at the beginning in the foreword. But I do understand the author's overall tone with the underselling and exclusion of "interesting" details- it SCREAMS military mind.
Overall a good read. Very informative.
Overall a good read. Very informative.
December 12, 2018
Loved it, a thrilling and captivating account of Ikram Sehgal's escape from an Indian POW camp.
October 10, 2020
It is a courageous and interesting story of a soldier of an escape from oblivion to his own country, where the circumstances were not so favourable for him too. It shows how a strong will and focused effort can lead to wonderful results despite all despondency around .
It indicates the severity of the rift between two wings of Pakistan in 1971.
Overall it's a very good book, though I get the impression that the writer has kept the narrative short avoiding certain details, most likely for securing some people who helped him in his endeavour.
It indicates the severity of the rift between two wings of Pakistan in 1971.
Overall it's a very good book, though I get the impression that the writer has kept the narrative short avoiding certain details, most likely for securing some people who helped him in his endeavour.
June 10, 2017
If you are a non-fiction fan and especially interested in war politics specific to South-east Asia, this book is for you. More than a book it is a journey, an endeavour towards Escape. A rollercoaster ride taken along a POW. You feel yourself in it. Literally speaking, this book come up with sheer bravery and hope with the tint of humour.
I wonder why any Pakistani director hasn't taken it up for a movie. Would be a thriller, I'd book myself for the first show.
I wonder why any Pakistani director hasn't taken it up for a movie. Would be a thriller, I'd book myself for the first show.
May 20, 2024
Good read. The author did not hold back his hatred for Indians (which is understandable given that he was from the Pak army), however I was pleasantly surprised that he depicted the entire J&K as Indian territory in the map used in the book.
Some good revelations and a story that would keep you hooked- it's a good read.
Some good revelations and a story that would keep you hooked- it's a good read.
April 6, 2020
True events of life have been dictated in the most original form.
September 20, 2024
True events of life have been dictated in the most original form.
May 29, 2016
An action, thriller and a spy genre! It has everything to be scripted for a movie with each page filled with the acts of bravery of our soldiers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews