Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman — taken a prisoner on February 27 — as a “gesture of peace”, hours after India sought the pilot’s release and dismissed talks on the issue.
Agencies
New Delhi/Islamabad, March 1:
India is waiting to welcome Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force pilot in Pakistan’s captivity, with bated breath. In what is being seen as a diplomatic victory for India, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had on Thursday announced that the captured IAF pilot will be freed on Friday.
Imran Khan announced the release of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman — taken prisoner on February 27 — as a “gesture of peace”, hours after India sought the pilot’s release and dismissed talks on the issue.
It is being reported that Abhinandan Varthaman had shot down the Pakistani Air Force’s F-16 fighter jet by firing an R-73 air-to-air missile before his MiG-21 Bison was hit during a fierce dogfight on Wednesday.
