Nirmala Sitharaman meets IAF Pilot Abhinandan in hospital, post his return from Pakistan

After a dramatic return form Pakistan, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was admitted to a hospital in Delhi wherein Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met him today.

Sitharaman, along with some Air Force officials, visited the hospital to check on Abhinandan who was released by Pakistan yesterday after a long wait since the afternoon, as the Pakistani administration changed the release timing twice.

As per IAF officials, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman met IAF Chief BS Dhanoa today morning and explained his detention in Pakistan. The Wing Commander will stay at Air Force Officer's Mess.

The Indian Air Force, informing about the incident, had in a series of tweet said, “The IAF lost one MiG-21 in the aerial engagement & the Pilot ejected safely, his parachute drifted into POJ&K where he was taken into custody by Pakistan Army.”

In another tweet, IAF celebrated Abhinandan’s return saying, “We have Wing Commander Abhinandan back with us. Indian Air Force is proud of our Air warrior.”

Post Pulwama attack which claimed the lives of more than 40 CRPF personnel, India had conducted “pre-emptive non-military” strike across the LoC at the terror camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad. After this, Pakistan retaliated with its F-16 fighter jets at the military armaments of Indi and IAF responded with MiG 21, wherein Pilot Abhinandan’s MiG was shot down.

PM Narendra Modi, at the return of Pilot Abhinandan tweeted, “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!”

Also read: After India submits evidence, US seeks info on potential misuse of F-16 jet by Pakistan