"An extract from the statement of Col. Habibur Rehman as to what happened to him and Netaji immediately after the crash is given below in extenso:

Within a few seconds, the plane crashed on the ground, and fore-portion of the plane split and caught fire. Netaji turned towards me. I said please get out through the front: there is no way in the rear. (Augey Say Nikaleay, Pichay Say Rasta Nahin Hay). We could not get through the entrance door as it was all blocked and jammed by packages and other things.

So Netaji got out though the fire; actually he rushed through the fire. I followed him through the same flames. The moments I got out, I saw him about 10 yards ahead of me, standing, looking in the opposite direction to mine towards the west. His clothes were on fire. I rushed and I experienced great difficulty in unfastening his bush shirt belt. His trousers were not so much on fire and it was no necessary to take them off. He was not wearing the sweater. He was wearing khaki drill.

I laid him down on the ground and noticed a very deep cut on his head, probably on the left side. His face had been scorched by heat and his hair had also caught fire and singed. The cut in his head was a long one, about 4 inches. I tried stop his bleeding by handkerchief….

….My hands were burnt very badly in the attempt to take off Netaji's clothes. Both my hands up to the wrist show marks of deep burning even after a lapse of more than ten years. Later on, even my nails came off. The nail of the left thumb has not come up properly.

When I laid Netaji on the ground I myself lay by his side. I was feeling acute pain and felt exhausted. I saw a Japanese passenger about 20 yards away bleeding profusely and moaning. Then Netaji enquired from me in Hindustani: Aap Ko Ziada Nahin Lagi? (Hope you have not been hurt badly.) I replied feel that I will be all right. About himself he said that he fast that he would not survive. I replied, Oh! No, God will spare you. I am sure you will be all right. He said No, don't think so. He used these words:

'When you go back to the country, tell the people that up the last I have been fighting for the liberation of my country; they should continue to struggle, and I am sure India will be free fore long. Nobody can keep India in bondage now.'
(Jab Apney Mulk Wapis Jayen To Mulki Bhaiyon Ko Batana Ki Mein Akhri Dam Tak Mulk Ki Azadi Key Liyaylarta Raha Hoon; Who Jange Azadi Ko Jari Rakhen. Hindustan Zaroor Ak Hoga, Us Ko Koi Gulam Nahin Rakh Sakta)"