'This is all I am supposed to tell you,' pilot was resolute before Pak soldiers
New Delhi: The captured Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who will be released on Friday by Pakistan as a “gesture of peace” has been admired for his presence of mind and fortitude in enemy captivity.
Various videos were circulated by Pakistani accounts. In one of the videos, 34-year-old was seen being dragged.
India called it "Pakistan's vulgar display of injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention."
In the second one, the pilot is blindfolded and wounded; he gives his name, service number and religion and said, “That is all I am supposed to tell you”.
Varthaman asks his interrogator a question: "May I request a little bit of information. Am I with the Pakistani Army?"
Later, the videos were taken off as Pakistan was accused of violating the Geneva Convention.
Later in the evening, a third video emerged which showed the pilot sipping tea and his wound looked less severe.
A voice asks him "I hope you have been treated well over here, with us."
He replies: "Yes, I have. And I would like to put this on record that I will not change my statement if I go back to my country also. The officers of the Pakistani army have looked after me very well, starting from the Captain who rescued me from the mob and from the soldiers and thereafter the officers of the unit to which I was taken to. This is what I would expect my army to behave as and I am very impressed by the Pakistani army."
Varthaman was asked where in India he is from and about his personal life. Keeping his calm he said, “Am I supposed to tell you this? Major, I am sorry. I am from down South.”
On asking which aircraft he was flying, Wing Commander said that he is sorry and not supposed to tell about the jet.
“I am sure you have found the wreckage,’ he added.
Talking about what was his mission?, pilot said, "I am sorry, I am not supposed to tell you this".
The videos and photographs fuelled a wave of messages on social media and hashtags like #BringBackAbhinandan and #Abhinandanmyhero.
Abhinandan Varthaman was forced to eject and landed into the Pakistani side of Line of Control, where he was captured.
