Pakistan frees captured Indian pilot Abhinandan in a peace gesture
Shortly before his release, a new video statement of Wg Cdr Abhinandan was broadcasted on Pakistani media.
Wg Cdr Abhinandan with Foreign Office Director (India) Dr Fareha Bugti at Wagah border on Friday night.
Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan — who was captured by Pakistan after his MiG 21 Bison aircraft was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet — was handed over in a gesture of peace to India at the Wagah border late Friday.
He was filmed walking across the Wagah pavilion at around 9pm in civilian clothes.
Wg Cdr Abhinandan received by Indian military officials.
The pilot was accompanied to the border by the International Committee of the Red Cross, reported the Associated Press. His handover took several hours as a roster of procedures were completed including a medical checkup to verify his health and condition before being handed over to his countrymen.
Abhinandan was arrested on Feb 27 after his aircraft was shot down by the PAF upon violating Pakistani airspace.
New video statement
Wing Commander Abhinandan Statement. Source: India Today.
According to ANI and other Media houses in india Wing Commander Abhinandan was mentally tortured to praise the Pakistani Army before he was released from the captivity. However the truth shall reveal itself once the Wing Commander decides to share the facts and set the record straight.
“My name is Wing Commander Abhinandan,” he stated for the record in the statement.
“I am a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. I was in search of the target when your [Pakistan] Air Force shot me down. I had to eject the plane which had sustained damage. As soon as I ejected and when my parachute opened and when I fell down, I had a pistol with me.”
“There were many people. I had only one way to save myself: I dropped my pistol and tried to run,” he was heard saying in the video.
“People chased me, their emotions were running high. Just then, two Pakistani Army officials came and saved me. Pakistani army captains saved from the people and did not let any harm come to me. They took me to their unit where I was administered first aid and then I was taken to the hospital where I further underwent a medical exam and received more aid,” he said.
“The Pakistan Army is a very professional service. I see peace in it. I have spent time with the Pakistan Army [and] I am very impressed.”
“Indian media always stretches the truth,” he regretted. “The smallest of things are presented in a very incendiary manner and people get misled.”
