Abhinandan says Pak mentally harassed him, undergoes tests
Not tortured physically, says pilot; debriefing to follow his treatment
NEW DELHI: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman underwent a string of medical tests on Saturday as part of a “cooling down” process before he is debriefed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on the 60 hours he spent in Pakistani custody after his fighter jet was downed in a fierce dogfight over the Line of Control (LOC) in Kashmir.
The 35-year-old IAF pilot was first taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment on Friday night, where he was evaluated on his physical and psychological states, hours after his repatriation from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He was subsequently moved to the Research and Referral Hospital, where he met defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman, two government officials said on condition of anonymity.
The officer told the authorities that he underwent mental harassment in Pakistani custody but was not tortured, said one of the officials cited above. “Everyone knows how Pakistan circulated a heavily edited propaganda video featuring Abhinandan to spread disinformation,” the official said.
The air force will debrief Varthaman on the February 27 dogfight with the Pakistan Air Force F-16, which he brought down with his MIG-21, and the time spent in Pakistani custody after the approval of specialist doctors who are monitoring his health parameters, said the second official.