After a day of painful videos, obfuscation, and lies, Pakistan had yesterday yielded to intense diplomatic pressure and declared that it will release the captured Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. As per reports, the Indian government had made it absolutely clear that WC Abhinandan is not a bargaining chip and Pakistan is bound under clauses of the Geneva Convention to release him unconditionally.
Sources: India expects Wing Commander #AbhinandanVartaman to be returned immediately, there is no question of any deal. If Pakistan thinks they have a card to negotiate with then they are mistaken. India expects the Wing Commander to be treated in a humane manner pic.twitter.com/iTbUfA5mQN
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019
After the news was made official yesterday, a great sense of relief had spread across the country. As seen in the videos and images shared widely in social media. WC Abhinandan had landed safely after ejecting from his Mig 21 but he was assaulted by locals. But in later videos, he was seen standing resolute and refusing to give any crucial details to his Pakistani interrogators. His sheer grit and courage despite being held behind enemy lines were highly praised by everyone.
As per reports, WC Abhinandan will be released at the Wagah border today. He is set to receive a grand heroic welcome in India. As per reports, Abhinandan’s parents have boarded a flight from Chennai to Delhi last night to receive their son. Upon boarding the aircraft from Chennai airport, they were greeted with loud cheers, claps, and greetings by fellow passengers.
#WATCH | IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s parents welcomed with cheers, claps while boarding flight to Delhi from Chennai on Thursday.#AbhinandanVartaman#Abhinandancomingback@IAF_MCC #NationSalutesAbhinandan
Full story: https://t.co/hYHqvwLH93 pic.twitter.com/wzmicouuIw
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) March 1, 2019
Abhinandan’s father is Air Marshal (retd) S Varthaman. After news of Abhinandan’s capture broke out, his family had been under constant media glare. Air Marshal S Varthaman has penned a message earlier to thank all people for the prayers and blessings for Abhinandan’s safe return.
Wing Commander Abhinandan had also achieved the remarkable feat of shooting down a fourth generation modern F16 with an old second generation Mig 21 Bison.
