The family of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman who is in Pakistan’s custody has demanded their son be brought back as soon as possible in an interview to The Hindu.
The MiG 21 Bison pilot lived in Madambakkam in South Chennai and is the son of a highly decorated officer of the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal (retd) Simhakutty Varthaman, who last served as Eastern Air Command chief had even seen action during Kargil war.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s family in Chennai said they are extremely sad to see their son’s visuals on TV.
Abhinandan’s uncle said: “I saw his visuals on TV. I am going to meet his parents. Please bring back Abhinandan safely. Request the government to bring him back safely.”
Indians tweet #BringBackAbhinandan to demand IAF Pilot’s safe return from Pakistan
Who is Abhinandan Varthaman?
- Abhinandan Varthaman is an Indian Air Force fighter pilot who has gone missing in action. He is a MiG 21 Bison Wing Commander.
According to reports, the detained Indian pilot is said to be the son of a retired Air Marshall and was flying an MiG 21 Bison jet on Wednesday that was shot down by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with the pilot taken into custody.
Pakistan has put out a video of the captured IAF pilot, claiming that two IAF pilots have been captured by them. Pakistan’s Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Two Indian pilots were taken into custody and they are being treated well: one is injured and is being provided proper medical care.” India has however not said anything about a second pilot.
Also read: Pakistan F-16 shot down, IAF pilot missing in action: India
If the video is to be believed, then the blindfolded man wearing military apparel is Abhinandan Varthaman. Abhinandan has his hands tied from behind and he is also bleeding from the nose. The pilot in the video states, “I have got hurt.”
He continues saying that, “My name is Wing Commander Abhinandan. My service number is 27981. I’m a flying pilot. My religion is Hindu.”
He is then prompted once more, to which he replies, “I’m sorry sir, that’s all I am allowed to tell you.” Someone asks, “Squadron?” to which the ‘captured’ man says, “I’m not supposed to tell you that no.”
The video concludes with the man saying, “May I request a little information? Am I with the Pakistani army?”
