IAF Pilot Abhinandan: Wing commander returns home, received by BSF officials
IAF pilot Abhinandan returns India via Attari-Wagah border. "Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram!" Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweets.
- Mar 1, 2019,
- Updated Mar 1, 2019 10:34 PM IST
Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was arrested by the Pakistani rangers on Wednesday, is back on Indian soil. He had to undergo an immigration process and a one-page visa has been issued so he could enter the country. People from all sphere of nation is hailing Abhinandan Varthaman's homecoming. Be it politician or Bollywood stars, all are welcoming the warrior, who was held captive by Pakistan for two days after his plane was shot down in a duel by Pakistani fighters. IAF pilot's capture in Pakistan occurred amid escalating military tension between the two countries. On Wednesday, IAF pilot Abhinandan's MiG 21 had shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet before falling into an ambush which led to the crash of the fighter jet he was flying. Abhinandan landed on Pakistani soil after ejecting from his jet and was arrested by the Pakistani forces. However, it is believed India put back-channel diplomatic pressure with the help of allies to make Pakistan release the pilot immediately. On Thursday, Imran Khan announced in the Pakistan National Assembly that Abhinandan would be set free as 'peace gesture'. India has meanwhile maintained that Pakistan is obliged to release the pilot under the Geneva Conventions.
Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was arrested by the Pakistani rangers on Wednesday, is back on Indian soil. He had to undergo an immigration process and a one-page visa has been issued so he could enter the country. People from all sphere of nation is hailing Abhinandan Varthaman's homecoming. Be it politician or Bollywood stars, all are welcoming the warrior, who was held captive by Pakistan for two days after his plane was shot down in a duel by Pakistani fighters. IAF pilot's capture in Pakistan occurred amid escalating military tension between the two countries. On Wednesday, IAF pilot Abhinandan's MiG 21 had shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet before falling into an ambush which led to the crash of the fighter jet he was flying. Abhinandan landed on Pakistani soil after ejecting from his jet and was arrested by the Pakistani forces. However, it is believed India put back-channel diplomatic pressure with the help of allies to make Pakistan release the pilot immediately. On Thursday, Imran Khan announced in the Pakistan National Assembly that Abhinandan would be set free as 'peace gesture'. India has meanwhile maintained that Pakistan is obliged to release the pilot under the Geneva Conventions.