Debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman by the IAF and other agencies is over and the pilot, who was captured by Pakistan on February 27 and released on March 1, has proceeded on at least four weeks’ medical leave. An IAF medical review board will shortly conduct fitness test of the pilot, who had to eject from his MIG-21 Bison after it was shot down thereby putting his body under great stress. He may be allowed to resume active flying if found physically fit.
Giving this information here on Thursday, sources said here debriefing included getting fist person account from Varthaman about the treatment meted out to him during captivity and questions asked by the Pakistan Army. He was in custody for not more than 50 hours or so and kept blindfolded in a small room, they added. While Varthaman was not subjected to physical torture, the Pakistani interrogators put the pilot through mental harassment, officials said. Harassment entailed Varthaman forced to stand for long hours and loud music blaring to deny him rest, it was learnt.
The Indian authorities commenced debriefing soon after Varthaman reached New Delhi on March one and underwent preliminary medical tests here the next day. He was allowed to meet his immediate family for a short while, sources said.
As regards the detailed medical review board review, they said as per standard operating procedure a pilot who has to eject from a crashing plane has to undergo the examination as his body is put to great stress.
Varthaman had to eject his MIG-21 Bison on February 27 after it was hit by Pakistan air defence after he successfully brought down a Pakistani F-16 in aerial combat when at least three Pakistani jets intruded into the Indian airspace in Rajouri sector. During the chase, Varthaman entered Pakistan Occupied Kashmir(POK) and landed there after ejection. He was beaten up locals before the Pakistan Army rescued and captured him
Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Pakistan Parliament on February 28 about the decision to release the downed pilot as a peace gesture and Varthaman was released on March 1. He set foot on Indian soil at the Attari-Wagah land border in Amritsar and then flown the same day to New Delhi.
IAF chief BS Dhanoa on March 4 had said Varthaman will fly an aircraft again after he is declared fit and may rejoin his Srinagar based No. 51 Squadron of Mig-21 Bisons. He was posted in the same squadron there.