New Delhi:
Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was handed over to India by Pakistan on Friday after he was captured by the Pakistan Army. He was received by the top officials of the Indian Air Force at the Wagah border. Abhinandan’s parents — his father is an IAF veteran — had travelled to Amritsar from Chennai this morning to meet him on arrival.
However, the pilot was whisked away in a convoy by Indian officials away from the public glare.
Soon after his release, politicians from different parties took to Twitter and wished Abhinanda on his return to India.
President Ram Nath Kovind welcomes Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, tweets "India is proud of your courage and sense of duty"
Welcome home Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman! India is proud of your courage and sense of duty, and above all your dignity. Wishing you and our entire Air Force every success in the future #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 1, 2019
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote, “Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram!â€
Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2019
The nation is proud of your exemplary courage.
Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians.
Vande Mataram!
Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah tweeted, “Dear Wing Commander Abhinandan, entire nation is proud of your courage and valour. India is glad to have you back. May you continue to serve the nation and IAF with unparalleled passion and dedication. Best wishes for your bright future.â€
Dear Wing Commander Abhinandan, entire nation is proud of your courage and valour.
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) March 1, 2019
India is glad to have you back.
May you continue to serve the nation and IAF with unparalleled passion and dedication. Best wishes for your bright future.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi said, "Wing Cdr. Abhinandan, your dignity, poise and bravery made us all proud. Welcome back and much love."
🇮🇳 Wing Cdr. Abhinandan, your dignity, poise and bravery made us all proud. Welcome back and much love. 🇮🇳
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 1, 2019
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also took to Twitter and wrote, "Proud of your courage Wing Commander Abhinandan! Welcome back home. Abhinandan to you. Jai Hind. Bharat Mata Ki Jai."
Proud of your courage Wing Commander Abhinandan!
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) March 1, 2019
Welcome back home.
Abhinandan to you.
Jai Hind
Bharat Mata Ki Jai#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley wrote, " India’s happiness on return of Wing Commander Abhinandan is unprecedented. I salute the courage and resilience of Wg Commander Abhinandan."
India’s happiness on return of Wing Commander Abhinandan is unprecedented. I salute the courage and resilience of Wg Commander Abhinandan.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) March 1, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wished Abhinandan on his return and wrote, "Welcome home Abhinandan Varthaman Welcome home sweet home."Â
Welcome home #AbhinandanVarthaman Welcome home sweet home
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) March 1, 2019
'You are our HERO in the truest sense': Sania Mirza hails IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan as he returns to India.
Welcome back Wing Commander Abhinandan .. you are our HERO in the truest sense.. The country salutes you and the bravery and dignity you have shown 🇮🇳 #Respect #WelcomeBackAbinandan Jai Hind
— Sania Mirza (@MirzaSania) March 1, 2019
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said,"Â The hero finally walks back. A grateful nation salutes Wing Commander Abhinandan. You are an inspiration for all of us."
The hero finally walks back. A grateful nation salutes Wing Commander Abhinandan. You are an inspiration for all of us
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 1, 2019
