PM Modi hails IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, says every Indian is proud of him

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed Indian Air Force Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan after his plane came down during a fierce battle with Pakistan air force and said that every Indian is proud of him. “I am proud that India’s first woman Defence Minister is from Tamil Nadu. It makes every Indian proud that the brave Wing Commander Abhinandan hails from Tamil Nadu,” the prime minister said while addressing a rally in Kanyakumari. It was the first time the prime minister has named the IAF pilot, who was handed over to India by Pakistan on Friday evening.

Speaking at the rally, Modi said that the air strike by Air Force on JeM camp in Pakistan and the events following that have demonstrated the strength of our armed forces and brought the nation closer.

"The events of the past few days have demonstrated yet again the strength of our armed forces. It has also brought our nation closer.
The way the nation has supported our armed forces is extraordinary and I bow to every Indian for that," Modi said.

The prime minister also slammed opposition parties for their statements and accused them of "helping Pakistan and harming India".

"Sadly, a few parties, guided by Modi hatred have started hating India. No wonder, while the entire nation supports our armed forces, they suspect the armed forces. The world is supporting India's fight against terror but a few parties suspect our fight against terror," PM Modi said.

Modi said that their statements were helping Pakistan and harming India. "They are the same people whose statements are being happily quoted in Parliament of Pakistan and in the radio of Pakistan. I want to ask them- do you support our armed forces or suspect them?" the PM asked.