Good to be back in my country, says IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman after release from Pakistan custody

It is good to be back in my country," was first reaction of IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as he set his foot back on Indian soil.

This was stated by an official quoting Varthaman after he received pilot at Attari-Wagah border soon after his release by Pakistan. In its reaction, Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Twitter, "We have Wg Cdr Abhinandan back with us. Indian Air Force is proud of our Airwarrior #Abhinandan."

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Varthaman was captured by Pakistani authorities on February 27 after an air combat between air forces of two countries, a day after New Delhi h conducted counter-terror operations in Pakistan's Balakot.

"We are happy to have him back," said a top IAF officer shortly after Varthaman was handed over to Indian authorities.

Reing out a brief statement, Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, assistant chief of Air Staff, told a posse of reporters that pilot will be taken for a detailed medical examination as he was subjected to lot of stress during his nearly three-day captivity.

"He will be taken for a detailed medical checkup. officer has h to eject from a plane which would have put his body under immense strain," said Kapoor.

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Air Vice Marshal did t take any question from media.