'Procedural delays', IAF pilot is not back in India yet
Attari, Mar 1 (IBNS): Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by the Pakistani Army two days ago and was supposed to be handed over to India earlier this afternoon, has not yet entered India through the Wagah border here, apparently due to "procedural delays", media reports said.
A large crowd comprising wellwishers of the IAF pilot and media have been waiting for hours here awaiting the IAF Wing Commander's return.
Media reports said Abhinandan was driven to the border in a military vehicle.
The daily beating the retreat and band ceremony at the Wagah border was cancelled on Friday with captured Indian Air Force Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.
The elaborate ceremony draws hundreds of spectators every day on both sides of the border. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon told media that Border Security Force (BSF) cancelled the ceremony due to security reasons and to avoid any untoward incident.
Two days, ago the IAF Wing Commander was captured by the Pakistan Army two days ago after his aircraft crashed across the Line of Control.
Media reports said Pakistan has rejected India's request to send him back in an IAF (Indian Air Force) plane and instead decided to send him through the border.
Indian authorities have been formally informed of Pakistan's decision to release captured Indian Air Force officer, Wing Commander, sources within the Foreign Office told DawnNewsTV.
Acting Indian High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia on Friday visited the Pakistan foreign office to fulfil formalities ahead of the Indian pilot's release, it said.
Indian Air Attaché Group Captain J.T. Krain has left for Lahore with travel documents of the pilot. He will escort the pilot back to India, sources added, said Dawn.
Image Credit: UNI
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