The veteran Indian National Cricket team off-spinner Harbhajan Singh seemed delighted after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced that they will release IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman tomorrow, who was in their custody.
Meanwhile, Pakistan took Abhinandan on their custody on February 27 (Wednesday) after aerial combat between Indian and Pakistan fighter planes. Before his capture, the government said, he shot down two Pakistani pilots when he hit an F-16 jet. However, amid soaring tension, the government last evening summoned the Pakistani envoy and handed over a demarche demanding the immediate and safe return of the pilot. It also strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of the pilot in videos.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Imran Khan was willing to consider the pilot’s release if it led to de-escalation. He also added that Imran Khan was ready to talk on the phone to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After a tensed 24 hours, Imran Khan has decided to release Varthaman Abhinandan as a good gesture.
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“We have an Indian pilot. As a peace gesture, we will release him tomorrow,” said the Pakistan Prime Minister to desk-thumping in the national assembly.
Soon after the news came in, there was a sense of relief among the Indians and his family and friends. Excited with the news, Harbhajan Singh took to Twitter to share the news with everyone.\
“Great News- @ImranKhanPTI says the Indian Pilot #AbhiNandan will be released tomorrow as a “goodwill gesture”,” Harbhajan tweeted.
Great News- @ImranKhanPTI says the Indian Pilot #AbhiNandan will be released tomorrow as a “goodwill gesture” ?
Meanwhile, it all started after the Pulwama attack on February 24, where more than 40 Indian jawans lost their life. Pakistan based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility of the attack. Since then, there have been a call for boycotting Pakistan in the ICC World Cup in June. But with this news coming in from Pakistan, this will certainly give a right perspective to the current situation.
