IAF sends Abhinandan on leave

NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman who was released by Pakistan in a gesture aimed to de-escalate the conflict after his MIG-21 was shot down during the dogfight between the countries has been sent on leave on Thursday.

According to Indian media reports the debriefing of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been completed by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and other agencies and has been sent on sick leave. Media reports further stated that the IAF pilot would now go on sick leave on the advice of doctors of Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in New Delhi.

A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of the Wing Commander and decide when he can resume his operations as a fighter pilot.