Pakistan hands over Wing Commander Abhinandan to India as peace gesture

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday handed over Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman to Indian authorities at Wagah border.

Pakistan Rangers officials handed over Abhinandan to  Indian authorities in the presence of officials of Indian High Commission to Pakistan at Wagah.

Captured Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was been shifted to Wahgah Border amid strict security arrangements.

Earlier, Indian acting High Commissioner arrived at the Foreign Office where he was formally informed about handing over Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Shortly after  he was handed over to Indian authorities at Wagah, Pakistan Foreign Office said "The captured Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been returned to India today. He was arrested when his military jet MIG-21 crashed in Azad Jammu & Kashmir after being shot down by Pakistan Air Force for violating Pakistani airspace on February 27, 2019."

While in captivity, Abhinandan was treated with dignity and in line with international law, the statement added.

Abhinandan, in his latest video statement before his release, said he was searching for a target when his plane was shot down by the Pakistan Air force.

He said "I ejected my plane and landed using a parachute with only a pistol with me.”

“At reaching the ground, I was surrounded by an angry mob. I had only one way of saving myself I threw my pistol and decided to run" says the Indian pilot.

Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing a joint sitting of the parliament on Thursday, announced release of the captured Indian pilot today (Friday) as a peace gesture and a first step towards de-escalation of the ongoing tension between the two countries. 

“We are going to release the Indian pilot tomorrow as a goodwill gesture and gesture of peace,” Imran Khan said towards the end of his address.

Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured by the Pakistan’s ground forces after his MiG-21 was shot down by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on crossing the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday.