Mar 01, 2019 08:21 PM IST | Source: Moneycontrol.com
LIVE | IAF hero Abhinandan's homecoming delayed after confusion over exit documents
Live updates as Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman returns home. A special plane will fly him from Amritsar to Delhi, sources said
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Three security personnel killed in encounter with militants in Kupwara
Three security personnel were killed on Friday in an encounter with militants in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Babagund area of Kupwara following information about presence of militants there, the officials said.
JUST IN: Documentation issues delay exit of IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, News18 reported.
BREAKING: Pakistan violates ceasefire along the Line of Control in Mendhar, Balakote and Krishna Ghati sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.
Defence forces to remain on high alert despite IAF pilot’s return: Report
According to a report in ANI, the Indian Defence forces will continue to remain on high alert across the border despite IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman’s expected return from Pakistan soon.
JUST IN: 4 Indian security personnel have been killed, eight injured in an ongoing encounter in Kupwara.
JUST IN: Paperwork almost complete. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be welcomed by both Air Vice Marshals of the IAF. Welcome statement to be read by AVM RGK Kapoor.
JUST IN: Retreat ceremony completed at Attari-Wagah border post. wg Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to exit the Attari checkpost anytime now.
BREAKING: Air Vice Marshal AVM Kapoor likely to brief media soon.
People shout patriotic slogans before the arrival of Indian Air Force pilot Wg Cdr Abhinandan near the Wagah Attari border on March 1, 2019. (Image: Reuters)
People and media gather before the arrival of Indian Air Force pilot Wg Cdr Abhinandan, who was captured by Pakistan on Wednesday, on the Wagah Attari border near Amritsar on March 1, 2019. (Image: Reuters)
Abhinandan may appear in front of the media: Sources to CNN News 18
JUST IN: Official press meet scheduled for 5.35pm at Attari border outpost.
THE WAY FORWARD
He is on Indian soil and is making his way to the Integrated Check Post at the Attari border. He will go through the formalities including a customs check and a medical check-up. He will then be taken to the Amritsar airport, which is 20 kilometres from the Attari border. He will then be flown to Delhi where he will re-unite with his family.
BREAKING: Wing Commander Abhinandan varthaman is on Indian soil and now Indian protocol will take over. The transfer has successfully taken place.
He has been medically examined on the Wagah side. There is an ambulance standing by on our side of the border, where there will be another small medical check-up. Then the convoy will take him to Amritsar which is 20 km from the Attari border, CNN News18 has reported.
BREAKING: Encounter underway in Handwara. A militant hiding in rubble has fired indiscriminately, injuring at least 10 security personnel, including Army soldiers.
BREAKING: IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is currently undergoing medical examination at the Wagah Border on Pakistan's side.
#TRIVIA
The last IAF pilot to be returned by Pakistan was Flight Lt Kambampati Nachiketa, who was released after eight days. He was captured by Pakistan on May 27, 1999 during the Kargil War and remained in Pakistani custody for more than a week. He was repatriated to India on June 3 of that year.
As per protocol, there will be a debrief when he enters India where he will brief his seniors about the entire course of events after he crashed into the Pakistani territory. The debrief meeting will be conducted by Indian Air Force officials and the intelligence wing of the military, CNN News18 has reported.
The police and pilot vehicles are standing by awaiting the arrival of Wg Cdr Abhinandan.
Pakistan re-starting some flights, to fully re-open commercial airspace from Monday.