Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s debriefing ends, sent on sick leave 

Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman.

New Delhi: A government official, on Thursday, said the debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthman is over and he has been sent on sick leave for three weeks. The fighter pilot was undergoing medical treatment in Army Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi following his return from Pakistan, on March 1.

He was captured by the Pakistani army after he ejected from his MiG-21, which was hit during an aerial engagement with Pakistani warplanes, and landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, on February 27.

According to the Indian Air Force, the fighter pilot was subjected to mental harassment by the Pakistan military, although he was not physically tortured. The government official also said Wg Cdr Abhinandan will be medically examined again after he returned from the leave and only then the call will be taken if he can fly again.

On March 4, the chief of Air staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa had said Wg Cdr Abhinandan will be allowed to fly fighter jets only once he declared medically fit. 

According to media reports, the pilot sustained back injuries during the process of his ejection from his jet and landing with a parachute. The reports also said the pilot has sustained injuries in his ribcage, which probably was a result of the beating he received at the hands of the locals, when he landed in Pakistan-controlled territory, before the Pakistani army rescued him.

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