Pakistan hands over captured pilot Abhinandan Varthaman to India
- 5 years ago
The Indian Air Force officer crosses Wagah border, a day after Pakistan PM Imran Khan announced the 'peace gesture'.
Pakistan has handed over a captured pilot to Indian authorities at the Wagah border, a move aimed at de-escalating tensions after days of hostilities with its South Asian neighbour.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman crossed the Wagah border on Friday, two days after he was captured following a rare aerial engagement between the nuclear-armed rivals over the disputed region of Kashmir.
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his decision to return Varthaman back to Indian officials as a "peace gesture" during a joint sitting of the parliament in capital, Islamabad, on Thursday.
The pilot's parents travelled to Amritsar, near Wagah, via New Delhi on Thursday night and received a standing ovation from co-passengers. Hundreds of people gathered at Wagah to welcome Varthaman home.
Pakistan's military said it shot down two Indian air force fighter jets that had entered its airspace in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and took the pilot in custody.
His capture came a day after an Indian aircraft launched air raids on Pakistani territory.
Pakistan has handed over a captured pilot to Indian authorities at the Wagah border, a move aimed at de-escalating tensions after days of hostilities with its South Asian neighbour.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman crossed the Wagah border on Friday, two days after he was captured following a rare aerial engagement between the nuclear-armed rivals over the disputed region of Kashmir.
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his decision to return Varthaman back to Indian officials as a "peace gesture" during a joint sitting of the parliament in capital, Islamabad, on Thursday.
The pilot's parents travelled to Amritsar, near Wagah, via New Delhi on Thursday night and received a standing ovation from co-passengers. Hundreds of people gathered at Wagah to welcome Varthaman home.
Pakistan's military said it shot down two Indian air force fighter jets that had entered its airspace in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and took the pilot in custody.
His capture came a day after an Indian aircraft launched air raids on Pakistani territory.