Patriotic Ferver to be its Pinnacle at Attari as Abhinandan set to return

New Delhi, March 1: Today, the patriotic fervor will be at its peak.


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


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 defense 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."