"INDIA EXPECTS HIS IMMEDIATE AND SAFE RETURN": MEA TO PAK

Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army during a shootout that took place on Wednesday. The IAF pilot went missing after an Indian aircraft shot down Pakistani fighter aircraft that targetted a military installation in India.

Pakistan initially claimed that two Indian pilots were in custody. Later, Armed Forces Major General Asif Ghafoor clarified and tweeted, "There is only one pilot under Pakistan Army's custody. Wing Comd Abhi Nandan is being treated as per norms of military ethics."

In response to the capture, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement asked Pakistan to ensure that no harm comes to the defence personnel. It stated, "It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return."