ISLAMABAD – An Indian pilot shot down over Pakistan and paraded by hiscaptors has become a hero in his own country, a trump card for Islamabadand perhaps the key to bringing the arch-rivals back from the brink.
Footage of the airman identified as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthamanbeing beaten and interrogated has gone viral in India and Pakistan, andhumanised an escalating crisis between the nuclear-armed foes.
India confirmed Wednesday that a fighter jet was downed and a pilot missingin action after a dogfight with Pakistani jets over the disputed de factoborder with Kashmir.
The incident sparked fears of India and Pakistan — who have fought twowars and countless deadly skirmishes over Kashmir — entering a cycle ofretaliation and counterattacks that could spiral out of control.
Abhinandan’s experience — broadcast in a series of graphic videos onsocial media — was condemned as “vulgar” by New Delhi and provoked prayersand appeals from Bollywood stars for his safe return.
But it was well received in Pakistan, with citizens praising soldiers forrescuing him from angry civilians and then treating him humanely and withcourtesy.
One video purports to show the pilot being dragged and beaten by whatappears to be a group of men as Pakistani soldiers intervene, shouting”Stop! Stop!”
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Later, a separate shaky clip showed the bloodied and blindfolded pilotbeing interrogated by his captors, with the camera focussing on his name”ABHI” underneath winged insignia on his shoulder.
But it was his later appearance sipping tea, his face swollen and sportingbruises but otherwise collected and calm, that was most seized upon in bothIndia and Pakistan.
In it, he thanks the “thorough gentlemen” who rescued him from the mob andcompliments the tea as “fantastic”.
“This is what I would expect my army to behave as, and I’m very impressedby the Pakistani army,” he said, his eye visibly swollen above animpressive handlebar moustache.
It was unclear if he had been coerced to speak. – APP/AFP
