In a major diplomatic achievement and an effort to de-escalate the ongoing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbouring countries, Pakistan on Friday handed over captured Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to Indian authorities at the Wagah border amid tight security. Abhinandan was captured when his aircraft crashed in Azad Kashmir after being shot down by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for violating the Pakistani airspace on February 27. Subsequently, he was rescued by the armed forces from a local mob shouting anti-India slogans.
Under the supervision of Punjab Rangers, the handing over ceremony of the Wing Commander took place after the completion of official formalities, including the signing of necessary documents and a medical examination by the International Committee of Red Cross.
Before crossing the Pakistani border, another video statement of Abhinandan emerged in which he recounted his entrance into Pakistani airspace in search of a target, being shot down, being accosted by an angry mob and subsequent rescue by Pakistan Army officials, and his experience in Pakistani custody.
"My name is Wing Commander Abhinandan. I am a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. I was in search of the target when your [Pakistan] Air Force shot me down. I had to eject the plane which had sustained damage. As soon as I ejected and when my parachute opened and when I fell down, I had a pistol with me," said Abhinandan in his video statement.
"There were many people. I had only one way to save myself: I dropped my pistol and tried to run. People chased me, their emotions were running high. Just then, two Pakistani Army officers came and saved me. Pakistani army captains saved from the people and did not let any harm come to me. The Pakistani Army officials took me to their unit where I was administered first aid and then I was taken to the hospital where I further underwent a medical exam and received more aid," he recalled.
"The Pakistan Army is a very professional. I see peace in it. I have spent time with the Pakistan Army [and] I am very impressed," he remarked and regretted that the "Indian media always stretches the truth". "The smallest of things are presented in a very incendiary manner and people get misled," he pointed out.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan while speaking to a joint sitting of the Parliament had announced that the country would release Abhinandan as a goodwill gesture to de-escalate the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan. "In our desire for peace, I announce that tomorrow, as a first step to open negotiations, Pakistan will be releasing the Indian Air Force officer in our custody," the premier had said. The announcement was not only welcomed by the opposition parties, civil society members in Pakistan and but also in India.
Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement that the IAF wing commander was arrested when his military jet MIG-21 crashed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir after being shot down by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for violating Pakistani airspace on February 27, 2019.
"While in captivity, he [Abhinandan Varthaman] was treated with dignity and in line with international law," said Dr Faisal, adding that Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan announced his return as a goodwill gesture aimed at de-escalating rising tensions with India.
Abhinandan Varthaman also confessed that Indian media's ranting always misleads Indian public opinion about Pakistan and it presents trivial things as huge. AFP adds: Thousands of Indians, waving flags, singing and dancing with patriotic fervour, had gathered at the crossing point on Friday afternoon but the crowd dwindled after his release was delayed inexplicably by hours.
In New Delhi the announcement of the experienced pilot's release was seen as a diplomatic victory, but India warned that its military remained on "heightened" alert. His father, a retired air force officer, told the Times of India newspaper, "Just look at the way he talked so bravely... a true soldier... we are proud of him."
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