Attari (Amritsar): Excitement is slowly rising to a crescendo here Friday at this border town as the time of return of IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman draws near. Hundreds of people have here to catch a glimpse of the IAF pilot.
The Pakistan government had tried to delay his arrival stating that the pilot will only be handed over to the Indian authorities during the ‘beating retreat’ ceremony at the 5.00pm in the evening. However, India has said that he should be handed over much earlier. Latest reports, however, say that Abhinandan will be back on Indian soil between 3.00pm and 4.00pm in the afternoon.
Currently, Abhinandan is close to Lahore having started from Rawalpindi in the morning. There will be a brief stopover at Lahore from where he will be driven to Attari in a convoy and the distance of approximately 25 kilomtres should not take much time.
Wing Commander Varthaman, son of a decorated IAF veteran, was captured Wednesday by Pakistan after his jet went down following a strike by an enemy missile.
Patriotic fervour prevailed at the border with border residents singing songs, beating drums and carrying the Tricolour in their hands.
A Sikh youth from a nearby area was seen carrying a huge garland, while an elderly man was seen beating a ‘dhol’.
“If permitted, I want to welcome the Wing Commander with this garland,” said the youth. Security arrangements have been further strengthened here, with Punjab Police personnel also deployed in numbers.
Amritsar’s Senior Deputy Mayor Raman Bakshi, who was also present here, could not stop himself from singing patriotic songs. However, it is still not clear whether Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will be present to receive Abhinanda. He had earlier tweeted his desire to do so.
Abhinandan’s parents Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman and Shobha Varthaman, who is a doctor, have already arrived at Amritsar and are en route to Attari. They are expected to arrive here at time after 2.00pm as that was initially the time set for the handover. It should also be stated here, that Abhinandan’s wife, Tanvi Marwah is a retired IAF squadron leader. They have two children.
Many youth among the crowd said Pakistan should stop aiding and abetting terror or else be prepared to face consequences.
According to sources IAF Group captain JJ Kurien will receive Abhinandan at the border. Other personnel of the IAF have also reached here to welcome Abhinandan. The pilot will then be taken to Delhi for debriefing.
Agencies