Indian Air Force’s Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman reportedly told the officials that he was not physically tortured by his Pakistani captors but subjected to mental harassment during the time he was in their custody.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa met Wing Commander Varthaman at the Army RR Hospital in Delhi, where he was taken for medical-check following his arrival in India via Wagah Border on Friday evening.
Sources: After returning from Pakistan, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has informed that though he was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis; he went through a lot of mental harassment. pic.twitter.com/x7C3lFsrSR
— ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2019
The IAF pilot was captured by the Pakistani military on February 27, after his MiG 21 was shot down in PoK air space during a dogfight with Pakistani jets. Before his plane was shot, he had hit a Pakistani F-16.
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During a separate meeting with the Air Chief, Varthaman briefed him about his detention in Pakistan, officials said.
Varthaman stepped on the Indian soil through Wagah border, Amritsar in Punjab, on Friday night at 9.20 pm, after spending nearly 58 hours in Pakistani custody.
Upon reaching Delhi he met his family for a few minutes before being taken for a medical checkup and counselling. His debriefing sessions would be scheduled once his medical check-up is completed.
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