In a peace gesture, Pakistan will release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured during a dogfight between India and the neighbouring country on Wednesday. In a surprise move, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced during a joint session in parliament on Thursday that Varthaman would be released on Friday.
Here's what we know so far regarding Abhinandan's release:
1. When will he be released and how?
According to official sources, a delegation of IAF team will receive Abhinandan at the Wagah border on Friday evening. It is yet to be clear if Varthaman will be handed over to the International Red Cross or to the Indian authorities by Pakistan.
At the same time, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has offered to receive Abhinandan at the Attari border. "Dear @narendramodi ji, I'm touring the border areas of Punjab & I'm presently in Amritsar. Came to know that @pid_gov has decided to release #AbhinandanVartaman from Wagha. It will be a honour for me to go and receive him, as he and his father are alumnus of the NDA as I am," he requested to PM Modi on Twitter.
2. Why and how was Abhinandan captured?
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.
3. What led to Abhinandan's capture?
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. It came 12 days after the JeM claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers.
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In response, India carried out air strikes against the biggest training camp of JeM in Balakot. In the operation, India claimed that a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for suicide attacks were eliminated.
Pakistan on Wednesday claimed it shot down two Indian fighter jets over Pakistani air space and arrested Abhinandan whose MiG 21 was downed in PoK.
4. International community welcomes Pakistan gesture
The Pakistan move to release Abhinandan was lauded by UN chief Antonio Guterres. It would be a "very much welcomed step", spokesperson for Guterres said on Thursday, stressing that the message to India and Pakistan from the world body and the international community is to de-escalate tensions.
The US, too, welcomed Pakistan's decision to release Abhinandan. "We welcome Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's commitment that Pakistan will release on Friday the Indian pilot held in its custody," a State Department spokesperson said. Simultaneously, the US has urged both India and Pakistan to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions.
(With inputs from agencies)
