Press Release on captured IAF pilot’s return to India

ISLAMABAD, March 1 (NsNewsWire) — The following is the full and unedited text of a statement that the Pakistani government issued Friday following the release of captured Indian pilot: “The captured Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been returned to India today. He was arrested when his military jet MIG-21 crashed in Azad Jammu & Kashmir after being shot down by Pakistan Air Force for violating Pakistani airspace on February 27, 2019.

While in captivity, he was treated with dignity and in line with international law. Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan announced his return as a goodwill gesture aimed at de-escalating rising tensions with India.”