The Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, Wing Commander pilot Abhinandan Varthaman will be freed on Friday and will be sent to India "as a peace gesture", announced Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday in the Pak parliament. Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured by Pakistanis on Wednesday after his MiG was shot down and fell in Pakistani territory during a dogfight. After Abhinandan was captured by Pakistan army on Wednesday and his several videos went viral, Indians were praying for his safe return home which also included the Bollywood and Television celebrities.


Now moments after his release is announced, the country is rejoicing and the celebrities also join them, waiting eagerly for Abhinandan to arrive back in India.

Here's what the celebs tweeted: 

Taapesee Pannu: "This is heartening. THIS is worth celebrating.". "Now this really brought smile to my face !!! Waiting for tomorrow ..... with bated breath "




Madhur Bhandarkar: "Great News."


Vishal Dadlani: "[folded hands emoji] #SayNoToWar


Upen Patel: "This is the best news today ???? #Abhinandhan we celebrate your bravery and #pakistan thank you for this step forward to keeping peace #respect"


Ravi Kishan: "Congratulations #BringBackAbhinandhan pura huva twomrow our tiger#wing commander #Abhinandhan coming bck to our soil #india @narendramodi sir pranam aapko aur aapkey purey cabinet ko thank u @narendramodi ji"


'Bigg Boss 7' winner Guahar Khan however requests not to a news channel to not use provocative language while reporting this news, against Pakistan, praying for his safe return. She wrote: "Oh god! U really need to calm down @TimesNow ! Bowing down ????? Let him come back home safe first ! U are jeopardising it with ur big mouth ! The volume is loud but substance is zero !"


Digangana Suryavanshi: "Already happy just thinking about the glory of tomo when #AbhinandanVartaman will be back!Absolute respect @IAF_MCC"


Harbhajan Singh: "Great News- @ImranKhanPTI says the Indian Pilot #AbhiNandan will be released tomorrow as a “goodwill gesture”


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Pak PM made the announcement in Parliament House this afternoon, saying- "We have an Indian pilot. As a peace gesture, we will release him tomorrow."



Sources said modalities of Varthaman's return are being worked out and he might be handed over to India at Wagha.