Abhinandan's release: Pakistan refutes allegations of delay by India
'Time bracket that was given was between 8 and 9pm and was agreed upon by Indian officials'
SCREENGRAB
Pakistan refuted Indian allegations on Saturday that there was a delay in the handover of captured pilot Abhinandan Varthaman.
According to sources, Indian officials were "given a time between 8 and 9pm," and the time bracket was agreed upon by both sides.
"Abhinandan wasn’t handed over late. They were given time between 8-9 pm. The time bracket was agreed on their request. Indian media continues their false news," sources asserted.
Imran Khan wins praise over captured pilot’s release
Pakistan on Friday ‘as a goodwill gesture’ handed over to Indian authorities the captured Indian Air Force (IAF) wing commander as the nuclear-armed neighbours scaled back a confrontation that has prompted world powers to urge restraint.
Abhinandan’s MiG-21 jet was one of the two planes shot down by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after they entered the country's airspace on February 27, a day after Indian warplanes barged into Pakistan and dropped ‘payload’ in a deserted place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Balakot area.
Later, the Foreign Office confirmed handing over of the pilot to India through a statement. “The captured Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been returned to India today (Friday),” the statement said.
Treatment of captured Indian pilot gets cross-border praise
“While in captivity, he was treated with dignity and in line with international law. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan announced his return as a goodwill gesture aimed at de-escalating rising tensions with India,” it added.
According to sources, Indian officials were "given a time between 8 and 9pm," and the time bracket was agreed upon by both sides.
"Abhinandan wasn’t handed over late. They were given time between 8-9 pm. The time bracket was agreed on their request. Indian media continues their false news," sources asserted.
Imran Khan wins praise over captured pilot’s release
Pakistan on Friday ‘as a goodwill gesture’ handed over to Indian authorities the captured Indian Air Force (IAF) wing commander as the nuclear-armed neighbours scaled back a confrontation that has prompted world powers to urge restraint.
Abhinandan’s MiG-21 jet was one of the two planes shot down by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after they entered the country's airspace on February 27, a day after Indian warplanes barged into Pakistan and dropped ‘payload’ in a deserted place in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Balakot area.
Later, the Foreign Office confirmed handing over of the pilot to India through a statement. “The captured Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been returned to India today (Friday),” the statement said.
Treatment of captured Indian pilot gets cross-border praise
“While in captivity, he was treated with dignity and in line with international law. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan announced his return as a goodwill gesture aimed at de-escalating rising tensions with India,” it added.