Twitter users hailed India's tough stand that compelled Pakistan to released Abhinandan.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday announced that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of Indian Air Force will be released on Friday as a "gesture of peace". Khan's statement came after India's tough message saying there will "no deal, no negotiation" over the release of IAF pilot. According to sources, India had said that Pakistan will not be allowed to use the IAF pilot as a bargaining chip.
After Khan's statement, Twitter users hailed the decision and India's tough stand on the issue. Soon #WelcomeBackAbhinandan was the top trend on Indian twitter.
Wing Com Abhinandan to be released tomorrow. PM @narendramodi eschewed the drama and hysteria and kept it normal - India made a pre emptive strike on a terror camp, not civilians and military. Repeat stay calm and carry on. And get ready to welcome a hero home!
— Advaita Kala / अद्वैता काला (@AdvaitaKala) February 28, 2019
So Imran Khan has declared Wing Cdr Abhinandan will be released tomorrow. India's stand that he is not a bargaining chip has worked. https://t.co/VkGgJqhS7O
— Nitin A. Gokhale (@nitingokhale) February 28, 2019
Abhinandan Will be released Tomorrow and will be back home safely
— Rishi Bagree (@rishibagree) February 28, 2019
Huge victory for India's International Diplomacy.
Wg. Cdr. Abhinandan to be released tomorrow by Pak govt. They are under wrong impression that it's a gesture towards peace, but first of all, as per Geneva conv they were suppose to release him, if not tomorrow, after eight days, but he was to be released.
— Nilang (@Nilang33463850) February 28, 2019
Tears of joy drip
— Siddhi Sankalkar (@SiddhiSankalkar) February 28, 2019
‘See you tomorrow, hero’ quiver the lips
Like you and me, our armed forces don’t go on happy trips
Their lives are all about sacrifices and hardships#AbhinandanMyHero#WelcomeBackAbhinandan
1. India's tough stand
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India had sent a tough message to Pakistan saying there will "no deal, no negotiation" over the release of IAF pilot. It has also been made clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the Indian defence personnel, the External Affairs Ministry said in New Delhi, adding that it has conveyed strong objection to the neighbouring country at the "vulgar display" of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. India on Wednesday had summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan and demanded immediate and safe return of the IAF pilot.
2. India wins international diplomatic support
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India had mobilised the world community with the Ministry of External Affairs briefing 10 diplomats to apprise them of the Indo-Pak situation and the status of the IAF pilot. India had also strongly condemned the vulgar display of the injured pilot on Wednesday and said it was a violation of the Geneva Convention.
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale briefed envoys of several countries, including from China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, on the Pakistan Air Force targeting Indian military installations in an aggressive manner, resulting in the escalation of tensions.
3. Abhinandan's father thanks people for their support and good wishes
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The father of Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistan after an air combat, on Thursday said he was proud of his son's bravery and thanked the people for their support and good wishes. In a statement, Abhinandan's father S Varthaman, who was an Air Marshall, referred to a purported video of his son after his capture, and said he spoke like a "true soldier" despite being in captivity. India erupted in joy when Pakistan Prime Minster Imran Khan announced that Abhinandan will be released on Friday as a "gesture of peace".
4. Abhinandan Varthaman
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Abhinandan, flying a MiG -21 Bison fighter plane, was chasing Pakistani jets that had transgressed into Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday and in the process crossed over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir where his aircraft was shot down. He ejected safely but was taken in custody by the Pakistani Army.
