Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot captured by Pakistan on Wednesday, lauded the professionalism of Pakistan Army and termed it impressive.
In a video circulating on social media, the captured IAF pilot can be seen holding a cup of tea while thanking the Pakistan Army for rescuing him from a mob who had gathered to assault him.
He said that he expected the same treatment from the Indian Army and would not change his statement on Pakistan Army’s professionalism even after returning to India.
He also revealed that he is from south India and is married.
https://twitter.com/rajshekharTOI/status/1100736769018990593
On Wednesday morning, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two Indian fighter jets and arrested one pilot.
While addressing a press conference, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Asif Ghafoor said that PAF had no choice but to retaliate against India. The ISPR DG further said that two IAF jets entered in the airspace of Pakistan in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and PAF responded to it in time and shot down both aircraft.
“We did it in self-defence and we are not celebrating as a war victory because no one emerges as a winner in a war rather on humanity suffers,” he said.
The ISPR DG further said that the other pilot is injured and has been shifted to hospital for the treatment.
Talking to media after Major General Ghafoor’s press conference, the arrested IAF pilot said that his name is Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
“My Service Number is 27981,” he stated, adding that he was arrested by Pakistan troops after his plane crashed in the operation.
Meanwhile, Indian news agency ANI also confirmed that Anand is an IAF pilot. Updating the situation ANI tweeted: “Sources: IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan took off in a MiG 21 Bison jet today, he is yet to return.”
Sources: IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan took off in a MiG 21 Bison jet today, he is yet to return pic.twitter.com/coryHqeRsR
— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019