Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returns home to a hero’s welcome; Pakistan hands over brave Indian pilot at Attari-Wagah border

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned home from Pakistan on Friday at around 9:20 in the evening to a hero’s welcome at the Attari-Wagah International Border Check Post, two days after

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned home from Pakistan on Friday at around 9:20 in the evening to a hero’s welcome at the Attari-Wagah International Border Check Post, two days after he was captured following a dogfight when his MiG 21 was shot down.

Pakistani officials handed over Varthaman to Indian officials, including from the IAF, at the Attari-Wagah Border. However, the pilot was whisked away in a convoy by Indian officials away from the public glare.

Varthaman was captured by Pakistani authorities on February 27 after an air combat between the air forces of the two countries, a day after New Delhi had conducted counter-terror operations in Pakistan’s Balakot.

The Pakistan government was under tremendous international pressure to de-escalate the tensions with India and release the captured pilot.

#BREAKING India gets its hero back; #IAF pilot #AbhinandanVarthaman, captured by Pakistan after an air encounter between the countries on Wednesday, returns to India. pic.twitter.com/vb3oYWMPbK

— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) March 1, 2019

Briefing the media at Attari-Wagah border, Air Vice Marshal Ravi Gopal Krishana Kapoor said that the Indian Air Force is happy to have Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman back.

Reading out a brief statement, Air Vice Marshal Kapoor, informed that the pilot will undergo a detailed medical examination as he was subjected to lot of stress during his nearly three-day captivity.

Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman has been handed over to us. He will now be taken for a detailed medical checkup because he had to eject from an aircraft. IAF is happy to have him back: Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor at Attari-Wagah border. (ANI) pic.twitter.com/18OVecPBaW

— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) March 1, 2019

Meanwhile, taking to Twitter, reactions came in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with other leaders right after Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s return to India from Pakistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes IAF pilot #AbhinandanVarthaman, tweets, "Welcome Home Wing Commander #Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram!" pic.twitter.com/VrUjqShfYW

— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) March 1, 2019

#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan | BJP president Amit Shah tweets as he welcomes IAF pilot #AbhinandanVarthaman. pic.twitter.com/1so1Bjto5W

— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) March 1, 2019

"Welcome home!" tweets Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh as Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman returns home.#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan pic.twitter.com/ZuCKrO6hci

— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) March 1, 2019

#WelcomeBackAbhinandan | Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweets 'Jai Hind' as Air Force pilot #AbhinandanVarthaman steps into Indian soil.https://t.co/aKrapnQxhJ

— Northeast Live (@NELiveTV) March 1, 2019

Following the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India shared a picture of a special jersey to welcome the Braveheart’s return to India.

“#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan You rule the skies and you rule our hearts. Your courage and dignity will inspire generations to come #TeamIndia,” tweeted BCCI minutes after Abhinandan had crossed the border.

#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan You rule the skies and you rule our hearts. Your courage and dignity will inspire generations to come ?? #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/PbG385LUsE

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2019

Meanwhile, celebrations broke out across the country, the moment Wing Commander Abhinandan stepped onto Indian soil.

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