Chennai: It is all excitement at the Wagah Border – that is the meeting point of Pakistan and India – as the forces, people and mediapersons of India wait to welcome back Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
Abhinandan, who is in Rawalpindi garrison city, will be brought by air to Lahore. From there he will be brought by road to Wagah Border, say reports.
From Lahore, he will be accompanied by air force personnel and Indian High Commission officers, it is said.
Abhinandan was captured by the Pakistani army after his MiG 21 was shot down by an F-16 plane while he was chasing it back from Indian territory.
While he ejected, he fell on Pakistani territory. He was assaulted, and captured by the Pakistani army. A video was later released by Pakistan, showing Abhinandan being quizzed by some officers. The stoic answers that the wing commander gave during the interrogation won the hearts of Indians as the video went viral.
Last evening, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Parliament that they would be “releasing the prisoner tomorrow” as a gesture of peace.
Abhinandan’s family is on way to Wagah Border to receive him along with scores of happy Indians.