Abhinandan subjected to mental harassment in Pakistan: Sources

Tribune News Service/ PTI

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New Delhi, March 2

IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was subjected to mental trauma during his nearly 60-hour captivity in Pakistan after he was caught in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Wednesday.

He briefly mentioned this to Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who called on him today, a day after Pakistan released him in its bid to scale down heightened tension between the two countries, said official sources.

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and several top officials of the IAF also met Varthaman.

Sources said he told the senior IAF brass that he was subjected to severe mental trauma though he was not tortured physically in captivity. Sitharaman met the pilot at an Army hospital here and conveyed that the entire nation was proud of his courage and determination.

Sources said the pilot also met his mother, father Air Marshal S Varthaman (retd) and wife Squadron Leader Tanvi Marwah (retd). The meeting lasted 30 minutes.

If found medically fit, Wing Commander Varthaman will go back to flying fighter aircraft and to his own unit — at present based at Awantipora near Srinagar. 

Beginning today, he will undergo a series of health tests, including CT scan, MRI and X-ray, for any spinal injury.

“He will go back to flying and to his own unit, if fit. Wait for the tests,” said a senior functionary.

Toxicology tests are being conducted at a top military health facility in the national capital to determine if the officer was injected with any unwanted serum by Pakistan’s military doctors under the garb of treating his injuries. Wing Commander Varthaman was treated at a Pakistan military facility. 

He was reportedly injected with painkillers and antibiotics to treat injuries he sustained after being beaten up by locals. The results of the X-ray and CT scan will be known by Sunday whereas toxicology tests will take a few days. The spine of the pilot can suffer concussion on ejection from a fighter jet. Besides the speed of the jet, the pilot seat ejects with a massive force.

Samjhauta express back on track today

New Delhi: The Indian Railways on Saturday announced that the services of the Samjhauta Express between Delhi and Lahore are being restored. India and Pakistan have agreed to resume operations of the train that will leave for Pakistan from Delhi on Sunday. Announcing the decision a day after Pakistan released Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, a Railway Board official said the first train from India would leave on March 3. Pakistan had cancelled the service immediately after the IAF struck Balakot. TNS