‘Good to be back,’ IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman’s first words after returning India
Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman captured by Pakistan on Wednesday walked back to his motherland (India) on late Friday with all his pride and honour after nearly 60 hours. Abhinandan was dressed in navy blue blazers, white shirt and grey trousers. However, there was a black spot on his right eye but smile as he crossed into India through the Attari-Wagah border.
“It is good to be back in my country,” this was Wing Commander Abhinandan’s first words after returning to India.
IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman returns to India. pic.twitter.com/0uvWUBchcx
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
"He will be taken for a detailed medical checkup. The officer has had to eject from a plane which would have put his body under immense strain," said Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor, reading out a short statement and refusing to take questions.
IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was shot down while flying a MiG-21 fighter in Ariel fight on Wednesday with Pakistani aircraft and captured.
"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!" tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Huge crowds had waited for hours to welcome their hero Abhinandan at the Attari-Wagah crossing, holding flags, garlands and dancing and cheering. The Wing Commander’s homecoming has inspired many hashtags on social media.
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First published: 2 March 2019, 8:55 IST