Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visits Abhinandan Varthaman in Delhi hospital
What's the story
Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman at a Delhi hospital where he was taken after Pakistan released him. She told him India is proud of his courage and determination.
He returned to India after remaining for nearly 60 hours in Pakistan's custody. After his arrival, he was taken to the Delhi hospital for a medical check-up.
Here's more.
Twitter Post
Sitharaman met Abhinandan a day after his return
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa met Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, a day after he returned from Pakistan
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) March 2, 2019
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/ko5RmTJHmO pic.twitter.com/gBnXTSObTw
Details
Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also met Abhinandan
While interacting with Abhinandan a day after his return, Sitharaman enquired about his health. He was reportedly in high spirits and happy to meet the Defense Minister. Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa also met the Wing Commander along with Sitharaman.
Following his release by Pakistan, Abhinandan reached Delhi at around 11:45pm on Friday, nearly two-and-a-half hours after crossing the Wagah-Attari border in Punjab.
Quote
Here's what Principal Spokesperson of the Defense Ministry tweeted
Principal Spokesperson of the Defense Ministry tweeted, "@DefenceMinIndia meets the #AirWarrior #AbhinandanVarthaman at his hospital room in Delhi to convey the sentiment of the Nation. Appreciates his impeccable combat skills as well as calmness in adversity. Interacts with the family and the hospital staff too."
Twitter Post
Sitharaman conveys the sentiment of the nation to Abhinandan
. @DefenceMinIndia meets the #AirWarrior #AbhinandanVarthaman at his hospital room in Delhi to convey the sentiment of the Nation. Appreciates his impeccable combat skills as well as calmness in adversity. Interacts with the family and the hospital staff too. pic.twitter.com/PrAf3X7rEj
— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) March 2, 2019
His custody
Abhinandan opened up on his time in Pakistan's custody
Defense Minister met Abhinandan at an Indian Air Force medical facility. He has reportedly talked to Sitharaman about his time in the Pakistan Army's custody.
He had been in the custody of the Pakistan Army for nearly 60 hours after being captured on 27 February. He is currently undergoing a thorough medical check-up at the facility.
Mental harassment
Went through lot of mental harassment; no physical torture: Abhinandan
After his return from Pakistan, Abhinandan Varthaman has reportedly informed that he had gone through "a lot of mental harassment" during his time in the neighboring country's custody, reported news agency ANI, citing sources.
The IAF Wing Commander, however, reportedly said that the Pakistanis did not torture him physically but he was subject to mental harassment by them.
Information
Debriefing sessions for Abhinandan to be arranged after medical check-ups
IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman is now undergoing various medical tests as part of the "cooling down process". The process is expected to go on until 3 March. According to officials, once the medical check-ups are done, debriefing sessions will be held for the Wing Commander.
What happened
Abhinandan shot down Pakistani F-16 before his MiG-21 was hit
On 27 February, Pakistan Air Force had intruded the Indian airspace to target military installations in the country. Abhinandan was part of the air force that chased Pakistani jets away from India, foiling their attempt.
Abhinandan had also shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet before his MiG-21 Bison was hit. He was captured by the Pakistani army when his parachute drifted towards Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.