The family of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is in Pakistan custody, is awaiting positive news on the captured Indian Air Force pilot. “I have nothing to say. Please don’t bother me,” Abhinandan’s father retired Air Marshal Simhakutti Varthaman told the journalists who thronged his house.
He said any reaction now will be more hurtful than helpful.
The video of the captured IAF pilot is being circulated, at the behest of Pakistan. India has objected, saying this is a blatant violation of international norms. The family have urged people to desist from sharing the videos of the captured Indian Air Force pilot on social media.
Abhinandan's family live at the Air Force Colony in Jalvayu Vihar in Selaiyur on the outskirts of Chennai city. The colony is now closed for visitors and police deployed in front of the house. Neighbours say Abhinandan’s wife and two children live here.
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The IAF pilot was captured by Pakistan after an air combat on Wednesday during which the two sides said they shot down each other's warplanes that followed an unsuccessful attempt to target Indian military installations in retaliatory strikes, sparking fears of war.
The aerial engagement between India and Pakistan for the first time since the 1971 war marked a dramatic escalation of confrontation prompting world leaders to urge the two neighbouring countries to exercise 'utmost restraint'.
India said it shot down an F-16 warplane of Pakistan, while it lost a MiG 21 during the fierce engagement between the air forces of the two countries along the Line of Control (LoC).
Meanwhile, the police spoke with Simhakutti Vardhaman. Officers from Tambaran Air Force Station, too, visited the house.
Abhinandan’s family is from Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu. He joined the Indian Air Force following the footsteps of his father. Many images of his are being shared online. Simhakutti Vardhaman has requested not to share them.
