Ind-Pak Tensions: Indian Air Force Pilot Abhinandan Is Well In Pakistan

On 27th February 2019, Pakistan has released a video claiming that it is of an Indian pilot named Abhinandan Varthaman and he is treated well there.

The Ministry of External Affairs slammed Pakistan over videos and photographs of an Indian pilot Pakistan says is in its custody. The MEA did not identify the person in question. However, the MEA was likely referring to the Indian fighter pilot whose MiG-21 was shot down earlier this morning.



MEA: Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned this afternoon by MEA to lodge a strong protest at the unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan against India earlier today, including violation of the Indian air space by Pakistan Air Force & targeting of Indian military posts.

MEA: It is unfortunate that instead of fulfilling its international obligation & bilateral commitment to take credible action against terrorist entities and individuals operating from its soil, Pakistan has acted with aggression against India.

IAF: Today, one Mi-17 V5 helicopter got airborne from Srinagar airfield at 1000 hrs for a routine mission. It crashed around 1010 hrs near Budgam, J&K. All six air warriors on board helicopter suffered fatal injuries. A court of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the accident.



MEA: India also strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.

MEA: It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defense personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return.

Pakistan says the pilot is Wing Commander Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and has put out photographs and videos of him being interrogated.



The Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that it "strongly objected to Pakistan's vulgar display injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention."

"Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defense personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return," the MEA also said.

Soon after Ghafoor's press conference, the Pakistani government released a video of a man in a flight suit. "I am Wing Commander Abhinandan," the man says before revealing his service number and religion.

Another video soon started doing the rounds on Twitter. In this video Wing, Commander Abhinandan is seen sitting on a cot inside a room, sipping from a mug. He is being questioned by someone he identifies as a "major".

In the second video, Wing Commander Abhinandan says, "The officers of the Pakistan Army have looked after me very well. They are thorough gentlemen."

This footage definitely calms us! #Abhinandan clarifying that he has been treated respectfully by Pak Army.

As per the Geneva Convention, Pak is supposed to hand over him back respectfully. #BringBackAbhinandan #SayNoToWar pic.twitter.com/yKEdN19IJ8

— Sacnilk (@sacnilk) February 27, 2019

In a video, locals are seen hauling him up and punching and slapping him. In the second video, Wing Commander Abhinandan says that Pakistani army men saved him from the mob that was attacking him.

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