‘Send back our IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman safe,’ India cautions Pakistan

The government has demanded an "immediate and safe return" of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman captured by Pakistan after an air war that marked the worst escalation between two countries.

The day after India strikes Jaish camp in Balakot, Pakistan violated Indian air space after which forces shot down their one aircraft. In this tussle between the forces of the two countries, India lost its one aircraft and a pilot. The Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was injured and is in Pakistan’s custody.

However, Pakistan initially claims that it had two Indian pilots, but retracted later that "there is only one pilot" and he is being treated "as per norms of military ethics". Pakistan also shared some videos of Indian pilot Abhinandan from arresting him from the accident location to questioning, to prove its claims.

Also, the videos were taken off by Pakistan as it faced allegations of violating the Geneva Convention for prisoners. Later, one of the videos showed the pilot sipping tea, saying that "officers of the Pakistani army have looked after me well".

"We strongly object to Pakistan's vulgar display of injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody," India said.

Immediately after India confirmed about one of its pilots is missing, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in a televised address, called for dialogue and said: "It was our plan to not cause any collateral damage, and not to cause any casualties. We simply wanted to show capability. Two Indian MiGs crossed Pakistan's Borders, and we shot them down. I want to now address India and say let sanity prevail." The Indian government is in discussion with its officials of bringing back its Wing Commador safe.

Also, read: Red alert for Delhi Metro as tension mounts between India and Pakistan