Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman arrived in India on Friday night after two days in Pakistan's custody. Cheering crowds of Indians received him at the Wagah Border near Amritsar in Punjab, India. Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Arjun Kapoor, Anushka Sharma and many more were not far behind in welcoming the hero.
The Indian Air Force pilot's plane - a MIG-21 Bison - was shot down in enemy territory after he chased down a Pakistani F-16 that had entered India. The attack by Pakistan was following the air strike on Balakot by India, after 42 jawans of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in a suicide attack in Kashmir on February 14. The terror attack was claimed by Pakistan-sponsored outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), headed by Masood Azhar.
Abhinandan was held captive for two days by Pakistan. Calm and composed in the face of death, the pilot revealed only his name and unit number to the enemy. After two days of heightened tension, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan budged to Indian and international pressure and said Abhinandan will be released as per the Geneva Conventions.
On March 1, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram!"
Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan!
The nation is proud of your exemplary courage.
Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians.
Vande Mataram!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1 March 2019
Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan tweeted: "There is no better feeling than Coming back Home, for home is the place of love, hope & dreams. Ur bravery makes us stronger. Eternally grateful. #WelcomeBackAbhinandan".
There is no better feeling than Coming back Home, for home is the place of love, hope & dreams. Ur bravery makes us stronger. Eternally grateful. #WelcomeBackAbhinandan pic.twitter.com/NFTRINu6Mw — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) 1 March 2019
Actress Anushka Sharma, whose father is an Army man, said: "The entire nation welcomes you home Abhinandan. You are a true Hero."
The entire nation welcomes you home Abhinandan. You are a true Hero.
— Anushka Sharma (@AnushkaSharma) 1 March 2019
Actress Alia Bhatt tweeted, "Our hero is home. #Abhinandan".
Our hero is home. #Abhinandan
— Alia Bhatt (@aliaa08) 1 March 2019
Actor Arjun Kapoor tweeted: "We salute your valour and the entire nation is extremely proud of you Wing Commander Abhinandan... Welcome home :)".
We salute your valour and the entire nation is extremely proud of you Wing Commander Abhinandan... Welcome home :)
— Arjun Kapoor (@arjunk26) 1 March 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind tweeted: "Welcome home Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman ! India is proud of your courage and sense of duty, and above all your dignity. Wishing you and our entire Air Force every success in the future."
Welcome home Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman! India is proud of your courage and sense of duty, and above all your dignity. Wishing you and our entire Air Force every success in the future #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) 1 March 2019
Actor Varun Dhawan tweeted: "Welcome back home #WelcomeBackAbinandan a true hero. These humane actions give hope that all humanity is not lost. Bharat mata ki Jai".
Welcome back home #WelcomeBackAbinandan a true hero. These humane actions give hope that all humanity is not lost. Bharat mata ki Jai
— Varun Dhawan (@Varun_dvn) 1 March 2019
Superstar Salman Khan had said earlier about the IAF's surgical strike on Pakistani terror camps, "Respect @IAF_MCC Indian Air Force... Jai ho !!!" However, he has not tweeted on Abhinandan yet.
Respect @IAF_MCC Indian Air Force... Jai ho !!!
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) 26 February 2019
IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman returns to India. pic.twitter.com/0uvWUBchcx — ANI (@ANI) 1 March 2019
Aamir Khan had tweeted after the Pulwama attack: "I am heartbroken to read about the terrorist attack on our CRPF Jawans in Pulwama. It's so tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the Jawans who have lost their lives."
I am heartbroken to read about the terrorist attack on our CRPF Jawans in Pulwama. It's so tragic. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the Jawans who have lost their lives.
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) 15 February 2019