A few days ago, amidst the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, an aerial combat took place between the Indian and Pakistani Air Force, where an Indian fighter jet was taken down.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force (IAF) had been taken hostage, and had been held captive by the Pakistan Army. Some videos of him in custody had also flooded our social media handles.
However, in an attempt to restore peace between the two nations, Pakistan PM Imran Khan announced that the pilot will be released from custody today. He would be released over the Wagah Border and would be handed over to Indian High Commission.
Earlier in the day, news had also arrived that his family was being flown in from Chennai to Delhi in order to welcome him, and they received a standing ovation on their way as well.
We are pleased to inform you that he has been released and is now back home in India. Thousands cheered and watched tearfully as India’s son was returned safely to his homeland.
Varthaman is already being hailed as a hero. You can watch the first visuals here:
https://twitter.com/asjadnazir/status/1101512519607336960
Here’s another video of his return:
https://twitter.com/Shreyoshi_/status/1101515699468480512
Here’s the full statement of Air Vice Marshal R.G Kapoor who said that the Wing Commander would be undergoing a full medical inspection on his arrival.
#BIGNEWS: Air Vice Marshal #RGKapoor briefed the media about Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman's return. He said that #Abhinandan Varthaman will undergo medical checkup as per protocol. pic.twitter.com/b6tcKndS4H
— News9 (@News9Tweets) March 1, 2019
Check out how Indians welcomed him on Twitter:
#1
https://twitter.com/sanjaygautam127/status/1101516149852905472
#2
https://twitter.com/tabahi_shek/status/1101515936421470208
#3
Relieved and glad that Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman is back home. I welcome him on Indian soil and salute his valour. The nation is proud of its armed forces.#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan pic.twitter.com/IUxMinNMuH
— 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝘃 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗸 (@ShivPareek_) March 1, 2019
#4
https://twitter.com/JamesHarshan/status/1101514832401043457
#5
Finally the moment arrives…Thank God, he is back #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan #AbhinandanVarthaman pic.twitter.com/5e0OdvVADj
— Shiju B Samuel (@shijubsamuel) March 1, 2019
#6
https://twitter.com/DON3onEID2020/status/1101515096302317568
#7
#AbhinandanVarthaman welcome home sir…. You made us feel proud to be an Indian…. Jai Hind !!! Vande Mataram!!!! 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/R9fsu3nHq6
— Puja (@Poo70752805) March 1, 2019
#8
The best thing till date #AbhinandanVarthaman #HeroReturns #JaiHind # pic.twitter.com/2X4dzicEgc
— Yogita phulwani (@yogitaphulwani1) March 1, 2019
#9
The lion is back #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan #AbhinandanVarthaman #WelcomeHomeHero #PakistanLeadsWithPeace thanks Pakistan pic.twitter.com/sltvAw0VMt
— Professor Morte (@Motivational0x) March 1, 2019
#10
https://twitter.com/royalbloodwasi/status/1101514172662145024
#11
Welcome home Wing Cmdr #AbhinandanVarthaman 🇮🇳 Saluting your bravery, humility, integrity and resolve.
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) March 1, 2019
Welcome back, sir. We couldn’t be prouder.
