The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has completed processing the necessary documents for Varthaman’s release and has handed them to Pakistan.
WEB DESK
Indian Air Force has said that it is looking forward to the return of its Wing Commander Abhinandan from Pakistan’s custody.The Indian Air Force will receive Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman at the Wagah border around noon, two days after he was captured while engaging in an aerial dogfight with Pakistani F-16s.
The Wing Commander’s family reached Delhi from Chennai last evening and are not on their way to Amritsar. The Border Security Force, which is expected to stand guard during the pilot’s arrival, has not been told the “exact time and sequence” of the release.
Pakistani PM Imran Khan’s announcement on Thursday to release the IAF pilot came as a surprise amid escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries after an intense aerial confrontation. Khan in his parliament speech called the IAF pilot’s release “a gesture of peace.”
In a joint briefing with Officials of Army and Navy last evening in New Delhi, Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said that IAF learnt that Pakistan has announced that Wing Commander Abhinandan will be returned to India today.
He said, IAF is happy and looking forward to it.
During his address in the Pakistan National Assembly, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had yesterday announced to release the fighter pilot as a peace gesture.
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Mohamed bin Zayed in his communication with both countries had also stressed on the importance of dealing wisely with recent developments and giving priority to dialogue and communication.