Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned home from Pakistan on Friday, two days after he was taken into custody by Pakistan Army when his MiG 21 fell in PoK.
Wearing blue blazer and grey khaki trouser, he crossed over into India from the Attari-Wagah border at 9:20 PM. He was handed over by the Pakistan Rangers to the BSF following paperwork.
ALSO READ: India welcomes its braveheart Abhinandan as he returns home from Pak
Abhinandan was accompanied by an officer of the Pakistan Foreign Office and Indian Defence Attache Group Captain Joy Thomas Kurien.
Announcing the release, Air Vice Marshall RGK Kapoor said that as per standard operating procedures, Wing Commander Abhinandan will be taken for a detailed medical checkup as he had to eject after his plane was shot and his body would have suffered “deep stress.”
Indian Politicians from almost all the major parties welcomed IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman and tributes poured in his tribute on Twitter.
Here are a few politicians doing ‘Abhinandan ka Abhinandan’ on Twitter:
Welcome home Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman! India is proud of your courage and sense of duty, and above all your dignity. Wishing you and our entire Air Force every success in the future #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 1, 2019
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!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2019
Dear Wing Commander Abhinandan, entire nation is proud of your courage and valour.
India is glad to have you back.
May you continue to serve the nation and IAF with unparalleled passion and dedication. Best wishes for your bright future.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 1, 2019
🇮🇳 Wing Cdr. Abhinandan, your dignity, poise and bravery made us all proud. Welcome back and much love. 🇮🇳
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 1, 2019
Proud of you Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman. The entire nation appreciates your valour and grit. You held your calm in the face of adversity. You are an inspiration to our youth. Salute. Vande Mataram.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 1, 2019
India’s happiness on return of Wing Commander Abhinandan is unprecedented. I salute the courage and resilience of Wg Commander Abhinandan.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) March 1, 2019
The hero finally walks back. A grateful nation salutes Wing Commander Abhinandan. You are an inspiration for all of us
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 1, 2019
#Amul Topical: Abhinandan returns to hero’s welcome! pic.twitter.com/JGtwfcUkXe
— Amul.coop (@Amul_Coop) March 1, 2019
The 35-year-old Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was flying the MiG-21 Bison that shot down the PAF F-16 in the aerial engagement with Pakistan on Wednesday morning.