IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman says he was 'mentally harassed' in Pak's custody: Report

Abhinandan is currently undergoing a series of medical tests as a part of cooling down process at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) in New Delhi.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 02 Mar 2019 07:41 PM (IST)

IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman says he was 'mentally harassed' while in Pakistan's custody: Report IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman says he was 'mentally harassed' in Pak's custody: Report

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday met the Wing Commander at a hospital in Delhi. (Image: ANI)

Abhinandan was not physically tortured but was subjected to considerable mental torture

Abhinandan's medical treatment is expected to continue till Sunday

Abhinandan was handed over to India on late Friday night

New Delhi: In a new revelation made by Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman it is learned that though he was not physically tortured by the Pakistani captors but was subjected to considerable mental torture during his 60 hours stay in their custody, news agency ANI reported quoting government sources. After a day-long wait, Abhinandan was handed over to India on late Friday night by the Pakistani officials. Just before his release, Pakistan put out a video with 40 possible cuts where Abhinandan was forced to praise Pakistani Army. It was also reported that making of this video resulted in the delay of his release. As per reports, Abhinandan has suffered a rib fracture, back contusion and some bruises. Abhinandan is currently undergoing a series of medical tests as a part of cooling down process at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME) in New Delhi. The medical treatment is expected to continue till Sunday after which debriefing sessions will be arranged for him. A day after his return from Pakistan, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday met the Wing Commander at a hospital in Delhi. During the meeting, Varthaman reportedly explained Sitharaman about his detention in Pakistan and his 60-hour long stay there. The Defence Minister also praised Abhinandan’s courage and said that the entire nation is proud of his bravery and courage. Earlier in the day, the IAF pilot also met IAF Chief BS Dhanoa as well as several other officials of the Air Force. Abhinandan also met his parents earlier this morning. The Wing Commander was captured by Pakistani authorities on February 27 after his MiG 21 Bison went down during a dogfight with Pakistani jets. But before his plane was hit, Varthaman shot down an F-16 of Pakistan air force. When he crossed over to India on Friday night, Abhinandan’s right eye above his handlebar moustache appeared swollen. After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and others. A troop of IAF fighter jets on Tuesday carried out pre-dawn air strikes on terror launch pads in Pakistan and is believed to have destroyed many terrorist targets. It was reported that the strikes involving several fighter jets of IAF successfully destroyed camps belonging to Pakistan-based terror outfits in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. However, Pakistan has denied the claims made by the air force and said that there were no casualties or damage.

Published at : 02 Mar 2019 07:40 PM (IST)

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