Air Force happy Abhinandan is back; pilot taken for medical check up

Attari: The Air Force on Friday said it was happy to have Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was in Pakistani custody, back in India and he will be taken for a medical check up because he had to eject which could have put his body under great stress.

"He has just been handed over to us as per standard operating procedures of the IAF. He will be taken for detailed medical check up. It is mandated particularly because he has had to eject and that would have put his body under great stress," Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor told reporters moments after Abhinandan crossed over to the Indian side.

"We are happy to have him back," he said as the officer was whisked away in a convoy of vehicles.

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Shivdular Singh Dhillon said the Pakistan authorities brought him to the check post and just now he has crossed the Zero Line.

Asked why the return was delayed, he said it was not a very long time. He was brought there half an hour ago after documents were done he was handed over to BSF authorities.

"We are happy that he is back in the country," he said adding that probably Abhinandan's return got delayed "on the way".

He has been taken by the Air Force personnel for medical examination according to their internal procedures by an Air Vice Marshal who has come from the Air Headquarters. He might be flown to the headquarters.

"As a special case the border was opened and he was taken," Dhillon said.