Arrested Indian Pilot Abhinandan Returns To India Via Wahga Border
Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been returned to India via Wahga border as a peace gesture.
The pilot was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army after his plane was shot down for violating Pakistan’s airspace. During the custody, Abhinandan said that he was extremely impressed by the professionalism of the country’s armed forces.
“Pakistan Army officers are thorough gentlemen and have been professional. Starting from the captain who rescued me from the mob. This is exactly how I expect my army to behave too and I would not change my statement if I return to my country,” Abhinandan.
Captured Indian pilot Abhinandan says he's been treated professionally by Pakistan Army. This bursts the Indian propaganda that he was mistreated by Pakistan. @SoniaNDTV please isey chala dein @ndtv par ?? pic.twitter.com/qyk8j5xOlw
— NayaDaur Media (@nayadaurpk) February 27, 2019
Prime Minister announced on Thursday that the Indian pilot would be released on Friday as a peace gesture. He said that Pakistan believes in peace and that war was not the solution to the ongoing crisis.
Khan said that the main reason for tensions between Pakistan and India was Kashmir and that the dispute could only be resolved via dialogue.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor confirmed that Pakistan had shot down an Indian jet and arrested a pilot. He also reiterated Pakistan’s wish for peace but said that the country was capable of striking back in case of any aggression.
India Reacts To Imran Khan’s Decision
MoD briefing, to announce release of Wing Comdr Abhinandan, has been pre-empted by Imran Khan, who announced it earlier. Now MoD briefing “postponed”. Whatever happens in real battle, Pakistan has comprehensively won the perception war. At every stage, their PR was ahead of ours.
— Ajai Shukla (@ajaishukla) February 28, 2019
Hyper-nationalist Indian media busy reporting IAF pilot Abhinandan's return as if he is the Sunny Deol of Gadar. Forgets that he was captured after his Ramayan-era fighter jet was brought down by Pakistan & he is coming back not because of 56-inch Modi but because of Imran Khan.
— Ashok Swain (@ashoswai) March 1, 2019
We are on the brink of a war that nobody in their right mind in either Pakistan or India want. Imran Khan's words should be welcomed. Encourage dialogue, commit to deescalation. Anyone who thinks otherwise should for a moment swap places with Abhinandan & his family #SayNoToWar
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) February 27, 2019
Dear Prime Minister,
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has said that he is willing to release the captured pilot Abhinandan on Friday as a peace gesture.
Just letting you know as you and your cabinet colleagues are extremely busy with elections.#AbhinandanMyHero #ChowkidarNiklaBekar
— True Indian (@trueindianfan) February 28, 2019
Tensions between the two countries have been soaring since the Pulwama Attack on February 14. On Tuesday, Indian jets intruded into Pakistan’s airspace and dropped payload in Balakot area.
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