India's brave Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman finally placed his foot on Indian soil on Friday night at around 9:30 pm. After being held in captivity for almost 60 hours, the news of the IAF pilot returning home made every Indian citizen teary-eyed. Since morning, there were several delays and hiccups in his return however, these small hindrances couldn't suppress the enthusiasm of his countrymen. People in all colors and from all walks of life danced to the tunes of drums, indulged in merry-making to welcome Abhinandan.
Dressed in a sober blue textured coat, a white shirt unbuttoned at the top, grey trousers and a proud moustache, Wing Commander Abhinandan stood in attention position until the gates were opened.
His calm and composed demeanour was visible as he walked walked across the Pakistan border gates into the Indian territory.?
He shook hands of two Indian Armed soldiers and said, "It is good to be back in my country". An official who had received Varthaman at the Attari-Wagah border soon after his release told news agency Press Trust of India that these words were his first reaction.?
Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Shivdular Singh Dhillon told ANI that Varthaman gave a brilliant smile upon entering his country which was a heart-touching moment for all of them. Speaking of the delay in his return, Dhillon added that they were not aware of the real reason and travel from Islamabad to Wagah-Attari border by road is a long distance and all of them are just happy to have their brave pilot back home.?
From the border post he was ferried to the Amritsar airport. A special airforce plane took the pilot to the Palam airport in New Delhi where his family had been waiting for him since morning.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also welcomed the brave pilot who refused to give any confidential information to Pakistan even when he had been roughed up by mobs, blind-folded, handcuffed and tied to a chair.
According to international media, he had swallowed maps that had high-profile Indian armed forces information.
Abhinandan was eulogized as a dedicated and courageous pilot who has inspired a sense of belonging and pride in all Indians.