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| IAF fighter pilot wing Commander Abhinandan Varhaman and Pakistan's Foreign Office Director, Fareha Bugti at Wagah Border. |
Indian Air Force fighter pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was freed by Pakistan on Friday, two days after his MiG-21 fighter jet came down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Important Terms:
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Geneva Conventions.
Wing commander Varthaman was brought from Islamabad to Wagah, by road as Pakistan Air space was closed, by the Pakistani authorities and handed over to Indian High Commission officials after completion of the formalities.
What next:
Air Vice- Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (ACAS) Operations (Space) said a medical checkup is mandated, particularly because the officer has had to eject from an aeroplane, which could have put his entire body under great stress. Then he would be sent back to his family.
In an official statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office referred to Wing Commander Varthaman as an Indian Prisoner of War and said, “While in captivity, he was treated with dignity and in line with international law.” It said Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced his return as a goodwill gesture aimed at “de-escalating” rising tensions with India.
Important Terms:
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Geneva Conventions.
Wing commander Varthaman was brought from Islamabad to Wagah, by road as Pakistan Air space was closed, by the Pakistani authorities and handed over to Indian High Commission officials after completion of the formalities.
What next:
Air Vice- Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (ACAS) Operations (Space) said a medical checkup is mandated, particularly because the officer has had to eject from an aeroplane, which could have put his entire body under great stress. Then he would be sent back to his family.
In an official statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office referred to Wing Commander Varthaman as an Indian Prisoner of War and said, “While in captivity, he was treated with dignity and in line with international law.” It said Prime Minister Imran Khan had announced his return as a goodwill gesture aimed at “de-escalating” rising tensions with India.
