The Indian Air Force (IAF,) on the 1st of March, welcomed Abhinandan Varthaman, a Wing Commander of the IAF, back to India.
Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman was released by the Pakistan Government, on the 1st of March, as a gesture of peace. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF,) on the 27th of February, shot down Wg Cdr Varthaman’s fighter jet MiG 21 and took him under their custody.
Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman expressed his happiness upon his return and said, “It is good to be back in my Country.”
On the 1st of March, Wg Cdr Varthaman was sent back to the Wagah Border by the Pakistan Government. He reached India via Amritsar, with the Indian High Commission Officer, around 9:00 P.M.
According to sources, the Pakistan Government made Wg Cdr Varthaman record a statement video, before he was released from Pakistan.
In the video, the IAF pilot said, he crossed the Line Of Control (LoC) to find a target, following which the PAF shot down his jet and captured him. He further added, “The Army personnel saved me from the mob. The Pakistani Army is very professional and I am impressed by it.”
R.G.K. Kapoor, the Air Vice Marshal of the IAF, welcomed Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman and said, “IAF is happy to have Abhinandan back (sic.)”
According to sources, Wg Cdr Varthaman underwent certain medical checkups as he was ejected from the fighter jet, which may have been stressful for his body and calls for a mandatory checkup.
After the release of Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthanam, Amarinder Singh, the Chief Minister of Punjab, appealed to the Pakistan Government to release the Prisoners of War (PoWs,) who are in the custody of the Pakistan Government since the Indo Pakistan War (Kargil War) in 1971.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and welcomed Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman.
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!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2019
Twitter was flooded with good wishes and welcome messages for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, with #AbhinandanReturns, #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan.
Snakes don’t hiss anymore,they tweet for IT cell.
#GaddarList#ModiNiti FAIL pic.twitter.com/uKpvxnEI8D
— Bajwa ☬ (@ShakkrPara) March 2, 2019
Proud parents of a Braveson🤗👏🙏 #AbhinandanVarthaman Welcome back Hero of the Nation🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/aqfzZpKoYX
— ♥♥🆁🅰🆈🅰♥♥ (@uthra_ajay) March 2, 2019
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