Abhinandan sustained rib injury due to assault by Pakistani locals
Agencies | Updated: Mar 3, 2019, 17:18 IST
NEW DELHI: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman sustained a rib injury due to assault by Pakistani locals after his MiG-21 was shot down across LoC during a dogfight with Pakistani jets.
The MRI scan of the IAF pilot also detected injuries in his lower spine which was most likely caused after he ejected from his fighter jet, reported news agency ANI quoting sources.
They added that no bugs were detected in the scan.
Varthaman on Sunday underwent debriefings by security agencies even as his medical check up continued for the second day at a military hospital in the national capital.
A number of senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officials also met Varthaman who was brought to Delhi after he returned to India from Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border late Friday night.
Wing Commander Varthaman was debriefed by the security agencies and it will continue for the next couple of days. He also underwent several medical tests as part of a cooling down process, the officials said.
"The efforts have been to ensure that he returns to the cockpit soon," a military official said.
The IAF pilot was captured by the Pakistani army on Wednesday after his jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during a fierce aerial confrontation. He downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan before his plane was hit.
Varthaman arrived in the national capital by an IAF flight at around 11.45pm on Friday, nearly two-and-half hours after he crossed over to India through the Attari-Wagah border.
The IAF pilot was first taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), a compact and specialised medical evaluation centre for aircrew of all the three services. Later he was brought to the Army's Research and Referral hospital.
After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and people in general.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa met Varthaman separately on Saturday during which he apprised them about the mental trauma he was subjected to during his captivity in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the defence minister commended him on his valour and expressed the nation's gratitude for his selfless service.
The officials said Varthaman has been in high spirits despite the harassment he suffered in Pakistan.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday.
Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations on Wednesday. However, the IAF thwarted their plans.
The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers.
The MRI scan of the IAF pilot also detected injuries in his lower spine which was most likely caused after he ejected from his fighter jet, reported news agency ANI quoting sources.
They added that no bugs were detected in the scan.
Varthaman on Sunday underwent debriefings by security agencies even as his medical check up continued for the second day at a military hospital in the national capital.
A number of senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officials also met Varthaman who was brought to Delhi after he returned to India from Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border late Friday night.
Wing Commander Varthaman was debriefed by the security agencies and it will continue for the next couple of days. He also underwent several medical tests as part of a cooling down process, the officials said.
"The efforts have been to ensure that he returns to the cockpit soon," a military official said.
The IAF pilot was captured by the Pakistani army on Wednesday after his jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during a fierce aerial confrontation. He downed an F-16 fighter of Pakistan before his plane was hit.
Varthaman arrived in the national capital by an IAF flight at around 11.45pm on Friday, nearly two-and-half hours after he crossed over to India through the Attari-Wagah border.
The IAF pilot was first taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME), a compact and specialised medical evaluation centre for aircrew of all the three services. Later he was brought to the Army's Research and Referral hospital.
After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and people in general.
Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa met Varthaman separately on Saturday during which he apprised them about the mental trauma he was subjected to during his captivity in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the defence minister commended him on his valour and expressed the nation's gratitude for his selfless service.
The officials said Varthaman has been in high spirits despite the harassment he suffered in Pakistan.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot, deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday.
Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian military installations on Wednesday. However, the IAF thwarted their plans.
The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the terror outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers.
Download The Times of India News App for Latest India News.
more from times of india News
LATEST VIDEOS
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE