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Abhinandan Return: IAF Wing Commander Being Handed Over to India at Wagah-Attari Border

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Following the visuals, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is being returned to India at the Wagah-Attari border two days after he was captured by Pakistan during an intense aerial dogfight. Hundreds of media personnel are at the Attari border that separates India from Pakistan and millions of Indians glued to their TV sets and social media accounts to watch the homecoming of the IAF pilot.

The breathless countdown for the homecoming of Abhinandan — who became the centrepoint of escalating tensions between the two fractious neighbours with his capture after his plane was downed — began on Thursday when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in parliament that he would be released the following day as a gesture of peace.

Updates

21:16 (IST), Visuals show IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman being handed over to India. Pak Rangers accompany him to the border gates.

21:07 (IST), IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is now being handed over to Indian officials after Pakistan changed the release timings twice.

20:55 (IST), Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav expressed joy over IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s release but lamented over the death of 4 security personnel in Kupwara encounter. “Wing Cmmdr. Abhinandan’s family will feel great joy at being reunited with him. Sadly 4 more service families have been robbed of that joy today.

Everyday the number of martyrs rises,” he tweeted. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister alleged that the Modi government has failed in Jammu & Kasmir. “This Govt. has proven incapable of stabilising Kashmir and preventing further loss of life,” he added.

20:23 (IST), Last-minute paperwork at the Wagah-Attari border is delaying IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s return to India. Local officials now say the wing commander may be returned to India at 9pm.

20:20 (IST), Amritsar municipal corporation deputy mayor Raman Bakshi, who reached at the Wagah border along with his supporters said, “Today we are full of enthusiasm as our hero is returning.” He was also carrying Indian flags, sweet boxes and garlands.  Neha, a young tourist from Delhi, said, “I feel blessed that today I am going to have a glimpse of a real life hero who without caring for his life showed such valor.”

20:18 (IST), Patriotic fervour prevailed at the border throughout Friday with residents singing songs, beating drums and carrying tricolour. They sang patriotic songs and raised slogans like ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. A youth was seen carrying a huge garland, while an elderly man was seen beating ‘dhol’. “If permitted, I want to welcome the Wing Commander with this garland,” said the youth carrying garland. Many were also seen with tattoos of Indian flags on their faces.

20:16 (IST), A large number of people from different walks of life thronged the Attari border on Friday to witness the return of their ‘hero’ Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. Excited citizens carrying tricolor, raising patriotic slogans and dancing to ‘dhol’ beats waited with bated breath to catch a glimpse of the IAF pilot.

19:40 (IST), Rahul Gandhi welcomes Varthaman back to India, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has welcomed IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman back to the country, reports PTI.

Inputs with News18.

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