Process underway to hand over Indian pilot


FE Team | Published: March 01, 2019 21:08:44 | Updated: March 01, 2019 22:12:22


As India's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is returning from Pakistan, celebrations began on Twitter as a host of hashtags bearing his name are trending on the social media website. -NDTV Photo

Captured pilot of Indian Air Force Abhinandan Varthaman is will be handed over to Indian High Commission officials at Pakistan's Wagah border on Friday night two days after he was taken into custody by Pakistan.

Sources said documentation process is underway and Abhinandan will enter India after completing formalities at Wagah.

Wing Commander Abhinandan, accompanied by Indian High Commission officials from Islamabad, reached the Pakistani side of the border to enter India.

Pakistan announced to release the pilot as the nuclear powers scaled back their confrontation, at least temporarily.

Indian opposition politicians raised doubts over whether an initial airstrike had destroyed a militant camp in Pakistan.

Both governments claimed they downed enemy jets on Wednesday, with Pakistan capturing an Indian pilot whose MiG fighter jet crashed in enemy territory after dogfight with a Pakistani JF-17.

The pilot has become the human face of the most recent conflict between the two nations. Having attempted to evade capture, he is being portrayed as a hero in India.

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