IAF pilot Abhinandan faced mental harassment in Pakistan, says report

Nirmala Sitharaman met the pilot at the Army's Research and Referral hospital here where he is undergoing a series of medical tests as part of a 'cooling down' process

BS Web Team New Delhi

Security at Wagah border beefed up before Wing commander Abhinandan's arrival

Last Updated : Mar 02 2019 | 9:01 PM IST

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9:01 PM

Defence Minister meets Abhinandan, Sources say pilot subjected to mental harassment in Pak

Official sources said Varthaman briefly mentioned to Sitharaman about the mental trauma he was subjected to during his nearly 60-hour captivity in Pakistan after he was caught in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa and several top officials of the IAF also met Varthaman.

The sources said he told senior IAF brass that he was subjected to severe mental trauma though he was not tortured physically in captivity.

7:47 PM

Wing Commander Abhinandan informed he was subjected to a lot of mental harassment in Pak

6:57 PM

4:58 PM

Defence Minister Sitharaman meets Wing Commander Abhinandan in hospital

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Saturday met Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and conveyed to him that the entire nation is proud of his courage and determination, officials said.

During the meeting at a medical facility of the Indian Air Force, Varthaman is understood to have explained to Sitharaman details about his nearly 60 hour stay in Pakistan.

Currently, he is undergoing medical tests at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), a compact and specialised medical evaluation centre for aircrew of all the three services.

4:31 PM

Resolution submitted in Pak parliament to endorse PM Imran Khan for Nobel Peace Prize

A resolution was submitted in Pakistan Parliament on Saturday to endorse Prime Minister Imran Khan for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize due to his efforts to de-escalate resent tension with India.

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry Saturday submitted the resolution in the secretariat of National Assembly, the lower house.

The resolution stated that Khan's decision of releasing Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan has de-escalated the hostility between Pakistan and India.

According to the resolution, Khan acted responsibly in the current tension and "deserves the Nobel Peace Prize".

The resolution is expected to be taken up on Monday when it is scheduled to convene its session.

It is also expected to be passed as the government has majority in the House but it will be interesting to see if main opposition parties support the move.

4:29 PM

Varthaman arrived in the national capital around 11:45 PM Friday and soon after he was taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), a compact and specialised medical evaluation centre for aircrew of all the three services.

4:28 PM

Early Saturday morning, Varthaman met his immediate family members as well as several top officials of the Indian Air Force.

4:28 PM

Wing Commander Abhinandan undergoes 'cooling down' process

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was brought to Delhi after Pakistan released him through the Attari-Wagah border late Friday night, underwent a series of medical tests as part of a "cooling down" process, officials said.

4:20 PM

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthman in a hospital today.

3:59 PM

Samjhauta Express services to resume from India from March 3.

3:17 PM

Wing Commander Abhinandan meets IAF chief, explains detention in Pakistan

According to IAF officials, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman (in file pic) met IAF Chief BS Dhanoa today morning and explained his detention in Pakistan. The Wing Commander will stay at Air Force Officer's Mess.

2:51 PM

Pakistan was not under "pressure" or "any compulsion" to release Abhinandan, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi

Pakistan was not under "pressure" or "any compulsion" to release Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said today.

In an interview with BBC Urdu, Qureshi said: "We wanted to convey to them (India) that we do not want to increase your sorrow, we do not want your citizens to be miserable, we want peace".

Qureshi dismissed the notion that the captured IAF pilot was released owing to pressure or as a compulsion.

"Pakistan will not allow anti-state elements to risk the peace of the country or the region. We plan on taking action against extremist groups," Geo news quoted him as saying.

2:11 PM

Time for Pakistani leaders to stand up against terrorists: Tulsi Gabbard

It's time for Pakistan's leaders to stand up against extremists, Democratic presidential aspirant Tulsi Gabbard has said, as she slammed the country for providing terrorists with a safe haven which is causing tensions with India. "As long as Pakistan is providing terrorists with a safe haven, there will be heightened tensions between the two countries," Gabbard said. Read on...

1:39 PM

JeM chief Masood Azhar suspected to have renal failure

Massod Azhar, the founder of the dreaded terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), is suspected to be afflicted with renal failure and is under regular dialysis at an army hospital in Rawalpindi in Pakistan, officials said here Saturday.

This suggestion of security officials came after Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said the JeM chief is "unwell".

"Recent reports indicate that Masood Azhar is now afflicted with renal failure and is under treatment and regular dialysis at the army hospital in Rawalpindi, the headquarters of the Pakistan Army," a senior security official said. Read on...

11:28 AM

After Centre ban, several properties linked to JeI leaders sealed in Kashmir

Authorities in Kashmir have sealed several properties belonging to Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI), including residences of some of its activists, police said Saturday, days after the Centre banned the outfit on grounds that it was "in close touch" with militant groups and was likely to "escalate secessionist movement".

Several properties, including residential houses, belonging to various JeI leaders and activists were sealed in many areas of the city and elsewhere in the Valley Friday night, a police official said.

He said bank accounts of JeI leaders have also been freezed.

Various district magistrates have also sought list of moveable and immovable properties of the Jamaat leaders, he said.