Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was arrested by the Pakistani rangers on Wednesday, is set to arrive at the Wagah border after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his release on Thursday.
He has reportedly reached Lahore, which is just over 23 kilometres from the Wagah border. He is expected to arrive at the border at around 4 pm.
IAF pilot’s capture in Pakistan occurred amid escalating military tension between the two countries. On Wednesday, IAF pilot Abhinandan’s MiG 21 had shot down Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet before falling into an ambush which led to the crash of the fighter jet he was flying.
He landed on Pakistani soil after ejecting from his jet and was arrested by the Pakistani forces. However, it is believed India put back channel diplomatic pressure with the help of allies to make Pakistan release the pilot immediately.
On Thursday, Imran Khan announced in the Pakistan National Assembly that Abhinandan would be set free as ‘peace gesture’. India has meanwhile maintained that Pakistan is obliged to release the pilot under the Geneva Conventions.
The nation is cheering up at the Wagah border on the news that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be home in a few moments from now.
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