While the entire country in hailing IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman for his heroic efforts, a report has now surfaced saying that the Pakistani interrogators tried to extract crucial information on Indian troop deployment, high-security radio frequencies, and sensitive logistics during the first 24 hours of his captivity in Pakistan.
Wing Commander was deprived of sleep, choked and even beaten up by his captors in Pakistan, said an official, who is part of a team debriefing Varthaman, to Hindustan Times. Varthaman was also made to stand for long hours and subjected to loud music to increase his discomfort during his 24-hour captivity, the official further told the leading daily. The Pakistani interrogators also tried to extract information from Varthaman about the frequencies that IAF uses to transmit messages, deployment of fighter jets and logistical arrangements. While interrogators were trying to extract information, Abhinandan Varthaman stayed strong and held back from sharing sensitive information.
The official told the leading daily that, “The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) questioned him, but he was largely in custody of the Pakistan Army. There was no medical treatment in the initial hours after ejection. On the contrary, he was made to stand, they played loud music to confuse and increase the discomfort. He was also choked – a kind of dry waterboarding – and even beaten up.”
Abhinandan Varthaman was held for three days by Pakistan after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down in an aerial dogfight over the Line of Control. But Pakistan had to release Varthaman due to mounting diplomatic pressure on Pakistan. After returning to the country, Abhinandan went through a series of medical tests and is currently recuperating from the injuries caused due to his ejecting out of his damaged MiG 21 Bison.