LIVE: IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan is on the Indian soil

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NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is on the Indian soil two days after being captured across the Line of Control (LoC) by Pakistani authorities and brought back home through the Wagah-Attari joint check-post on Friday.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced on Thursday that the captured IAF pilot will be freed as a “goodwill gesture” after New Delhi sought his unconditional, immediate and unharmed release.

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Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has welcomed the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan. “I salute your bravery and the courage of your family. India is proud of you,” said Kejriwal.

Arrangements are being made for the media briefing as Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor is likely to address.

According to reports, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned to India around 5:20pm and might also appear in front of the media later on Friday.

IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is on the Indian soil, has reached the Attari border.

BREAKING: IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman return to India.

Breaking: Indian High Commission delegation reaches Wagah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb7FR7mfN6A

According to Pakistani media reports, IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is undergoing a medical test at the Wagah border.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee welcomes Abhinandan home, she tweeted “Welcome home #AbhinandanVarthaman Welcome home sweet home.”

More visuals from near the Wagah-Attari ahead of IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s return to India.

Wing Commander Abhinandan still on the Pakistani side and crossover to the Indian side anytime now. Hewtill received by two Vice Marshals of the Indian Air Force.

Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has reached the Pakistan’s Wagah Border and is now being taken to Attari on the Indian side.

Tweeting about the joyous coming back of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, Bollywood actor Shahrukh Khan said, “there is no better feeling than coming back home, for home is the place of love, hope & dreams. Ur bravery makes us stronger. Eternally grateful. #WelcomeBackAbhinandan.”

As soon as Wing Commander Abhinandan arrives, he will be directly taken to Indian Air Force Intelligence Unit and made to undergo medical tests to gauge his fitness levels and psychological tests too.

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is now reaching the Wagah border. Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor will receive Abhinandan.

Indian police distribute food to Pakistani passengers stranded near Amritsar, Pakistani website Dawn reported.

“We have come here to welcome our country’s hero back home. We will give him a grand welcome. He showed a lot of bravery in the air combat and even after being captured by the Pakistanis,” Jitender, a resident of Amritsar, who arrived in Attari with his friends, said.

A large number of people have assembled at the Attari Joint Check Post (JCP)

People started arriving in Attari, around 30 km from Amritsar, since 6 a.m. Their numbers swelled by 9 a.m.