The josh is high at Attari as Abhinandan set to return

March 01, 2019 10:27

ON a regular day, the atmosphere at Attari, the border with Pakistan at Wagah, is charged with high definition patriotism. Slogans of Bharat Mata ki Jai ring out from the crowds gathered to watch the BSF match goosesteps in mock hostility towards its Pakistani counterparts.

Today, the patriotic fervor will be at its peak.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistan during an aerial combat, is expected to be handed over to India at the Wagah border.

The pilot is likely to be brought by Pakistani authorities from Rawalpindi to Lahore and handed over first to the International Committee of Red Cross under rules of the Geneva Convention before being brought to the JCP between 12 pm and 2 pm to return home.

Varthaman will be debriefed by defence and security officials after his return.

A team of Indian Air Force officials will receive Wing Commander Abhinandan at the Wagah border on Friday evening,

Varthaman's MiG 21 was shot and he bailed out after bringing down one Pakistani F-16 fighter during a dogfight to repel a Pakistani attack on Wednesday morning. He has been in Pakistan since then.Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Parliament on Thursday that Varthaman would be released on Friday as a "peace gesture".

At the armed forces press conference yesterday, Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, the assistant chief of Air Staff, said, "We are happy that our pilot who had fallen across the Line of Control and was in the custody of Pakistan is being released. We are extremely happy to have him back. We only see it as a gesture which is in consonance with the Geneva Conventions."

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has offered to receive Wing Commander Varthaman at the Attari border. The Congress leader tweeted his request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi."Dear @narendramodi ji, I'm touring the border areas of Punjab & I'm presently in Amritsar. Came to know that @pid_gov has decided to release #AbhinandanVartaman from Wagha. It will be a honour for me to go and receive him, as he and his father are alumnus of the NDA as I am," he wrote.

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