'Welcome Home Abhinandan', PM Modi extends rousing welcome to brave IAF pilot; check how others reacted

As the entire nation was eagerly waiting for IAF pilot’s safe return to India, Abhinandan was handed over to senior IAF officials by Pakistan Rangers after a wait for almost a day.

Written By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 01 Mar 2019 11:29 PM (IST)

'Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan', PM Modi extends rousing welcome to brave IAF pilot; check how others reacted 'Welcome Home Abhinandan', PM Modi extends rousing welcome to brave IAF pilot; check how others reacted

Abhinandan crossed over India from the Attari-Wagah border at 9:20 PM. (Image: PTI)

IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman returned home on Friday night from Attari-Wagah border

Pakistan changed the time of his release twice before handing him over to Indian officials

PM Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath Singh and other hailed IAF pilot's return

New Delhi: Finally, the Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was held captive by the Pakistani Army returned home on Friday night from Attari-Wagah border. As the entire nation was eagerly waiting for IAF pilot’s safe return to India, Abhinandan was handed over to senior IAF officials by Pakistan Rangers after a wait for almost a day. Wearing a blue blazer and grey trouser, Abhinandan crossed over India from the Attari-Wagah border at 9:20 PM. The brave pilot looked confident and happy as he was accompanied by an officer of Pakistan Foreign Office and Indian Defence Attache Group Captain Joy Thomas Kurien. Announcing his release, Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor at Attari-Wagah border said that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been handed over to us. "He will now be taken for a detailed medical checkup because he had to eject from an aircraft. IAF is happy to have him back," he added. Thousands of people waited for hours at the Attari border to greet the brave IAF pilot. Waiving the Indian flag, these people kept chanting slogans praising his bravado. Initially, Abhinandan was supposed to return during the day. However, sources say that Pakistan changed the time of his release twice before handing him over to Indian officials. As soon as the first visuals of Abhinandan’s entry into the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border came, entire nation hailed the moment and congratulated the daredevil IAF pilot for his valour and incomparable contribution to the nation. Social media platforms including Twitter got flooded with admiring messages. Even leaders of several political parties saluted Abhinandan and welcomed him. Here are some top tweets:

Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan!
The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram! — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2019

???????? Wing Cdr. Abhinandan, your dignity, poise and bravery made us all proud. Welcome back and much love. ????????
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 1, 2019

Welcome Home! The entire Nation is proud of Wing Commander Abhinandan.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) March 1, 2019

Proud of you Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman. The entire nation appreciates your valour and grit. You held your calm in the face of adversity. You are an inspiration to our youth. Salute. Vande Mataram.
— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 1, 2019

A hero is more than just four letters. Through his courage, selflessness and perseverance, OUR HERO teaches us to have faith in ourselves.#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan
Jai Hind ???????? — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 1, 2019

The entire Nation is proud of Wing Commander Abhinandan.
अभिनंदन। Vande Mataram.#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan — Vijay Rupani (@vijayrupanibjp) March 1, 2019

The hero finally walks back. A grateful nation salutes Wing Commander Abhinandan. You are an inspiration for all of us
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) March 1, 2019

विंग कमांडर अभिनंदन आप को दिल से सलाम. सारे देश को आप पर गर्व है। #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) March 1, 2019

Welcome home Wing Cmdr #AbhinandanVarthaman ???????? Saluting your bravery, humility, integrity and resolve.
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) March 1, 2019

I join the rest of the nation in welcoming #AbhinandanVarthaman back home. #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 1, 2019

Relieved and glad that Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman is back home. I welcome him on Indian soil and salute his valour. The nation is proud of its armed forces.#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) March 1, 2019

Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman, the entire country salutes your spirit and bravery. ????????????????????????#WelcomeBackAbhinandan pic.twitter.com/wXSobEm4VE
— Suresh Raina???????? (@ImRaina) March 1, 2019

India Salutes you Wing Commander Abhinanand! Welcome Back! You are the real hero. #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan
— Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) March 1, 2019

The brave Air Force pilot was held captive by Pakistan army on Wednesday after his MiG-21 Bison crashed in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Several videos of Abhinandan being manhandled by mob in Pakistan went viral on social media. Later on, Pakistan Army took him into custody and gave him the required medical assistance.