India happy for Pakistan’s move to return captured pilot

The Indian Air Force today said it is very happy that the pilot, who was captured by Pakistan, would be returning home, but dismissed suggestions that it was a goodwill gesture, insisting it was in line with the Geneva Conventions for Prisoners.

"We are very happy that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, would be freed tomorrow and look forward to his return," Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, Assistant Chief of Air Staff, said at a joint news conference with senior officials of the Navy and the Army.

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Pakistan will return captured Indian pilot: Imran Khan

Varthaman's MiG 21 was shot down and he bailed out after bringing down two Pakistani F-16 fighters during a dogfight yesterday to repulse a Pakistani air attack, he said.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Parliament that the Indian pilot would be released on Friday as a "peace gesture"

<span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Who is Abhi Nandan, the Indian pilot?</strong></span><br> Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has become the human face of the latest flare-up following the release of videos showing him being captured and later held in custody.</p> <p style="font-size: 13.008px;">Indian government is demanding the Pakistan authorities to ensure his safe return immediately.</p> <p style="font-size: 13.008px;">Khan has already called for talks with India to prevent the risk of a "miscalculation" between their nuclear-armed militaries.</p> <p style="font-size: 13.008px;"><strong><a href="https://www.thedailystar.net/online/news/what-we-know-about-abhinandan-the-indian-pilot-1708582"><span style="color: rgb(51, 0, 255);">Click to READ more</span></a></strong>

Asked if the IAF sees it as a goodwill move, he said, "We see it as a gesture in consonance with the Geneva Conventions."

Tensions between India and Pakistan spiralled after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan on February 26, nearly two weeks after JeM carried out a suicide attack on a convoy of Indian paramilitary personnel in Pulwama killing 40 soldiers.