Captured Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s release from Pakistan was announced yesterday. According to NDTV, a few hours later, his parents took a late night flight from Chennai to Delhi.
They also received a standing ovation and heaps of gratitude from their co-passengers.
Abhinandan Varthaman was engaged in an air-duel, reportedly with a Pakistani F-16, when his jet was downed across the border and he was captured. Yesterday, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that he would be released in tune with the laws of the Geneva Convention.
His parents, Air Marshal S Varthaman and Dr. Shobha Varthaman, landed in the Delhi airport about an hour after midnight. As they exited the plane, their co-passengers took videos, congratulated the parents, clapped, and cheered for them and their son’s courage.
They left for Amritsar soon after landing in Delhi. They will receive their son, who is expected to be handed over by Pakistan at about 2 pm, at the Wagah border.