Amritsar: Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, on his return to the country, got a rousing welcome from a team of the Indian Air Force at Attari-Wagah border in Punjab this evening.
Varthaman was received by Air Vice-Marshals Sreekumar Prabhakaran and RGK Kapoor. His family members were also present.
Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman crosses border to enter India. #AbhinandanReturns pic.twitter.com/14wTPe3m9w
— Kalinga TV (@Kalingatv) March 1, 2019
Thousands of enthusiastic Indians with the National Flags, beating band baajas, dancing to and singing patriotic songs and chanting pro-Indian slogans like ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai‘, ‘Jai Hind’, ‘Abhinandan Welcome’ etc. welcomed the Wing Commander.
The IAF Wing Commander was brought to the country after he was handed over to the Indian authorities at Wagah.
Meanwhile, the beating the retreat ceremony at Wagah border was cancelled for security measures as the Wing Commander returned to India.
According to reports Abhinandan will be taken directly to New Delhi from Amritsar.
Notably, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to release the fighter pilot as a peace gesture while addressing in the Pakistan National Assembly.
Earlier in a stern message to Pakistan, India yesterday ruled out any deal on the return of the Indian Air Force Wing Commander.
Pakistan had on February 27 captured Abhinandan after his MiG-21 Bison fighter jet was shot down in action with Pakistan Air Force jets near the LoC.
Kalinga AI