Pakistan Hands Over Captured Air Force Pilot to India

By Staff, Agencies

Fulfilling the promise of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Islamabad handed over the Indian pilot who was shot down and captured in an aerial skirmish between the two countries this week.

Pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was transported to the border crossing in a military convoy which set out from the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore.

Varthaman’s jet was hit this Wednesday during a dogfight involving Indian MiG-21s and Pakistani F-16s. He ejected from the plane but landed in the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir where he was captured by locals.

Shortly after the downing, viral videos emerged on social media showing the pilot surrounded and beaten by an angry mob, with Pakistani soldiers trying to rescue him.