“As soon as i fell down in Pakistan, people who were high on passion tried to attack me, however, two Pakistani Army men came and saved me,”Abhinandan who was captured by Pakistani troopers last year is heard saying in a fresh video released by Pakistan on the anniversary of Indian Air Strikes in Balakot.
On the 26th of February, 2019, the Indian Government claimed that the Indian Air Force conducted targetted air strikes in Pakistan and destroyed a Militant camp, and killed several Militants in the air strikes, however, footages released later by Reuters and sections of International media called the Indian claims as false. The next day Pakistani Air Force intruded in the Indian territory and one pilot in a bid to chase Pakistan’s F16 crossed over to Pakistan, where his plane was shot down by Pakistani Air Forces.
Identified as Abhinandan, wing commander of Indian Air Force he was captured alive and days later Imran Khan, the Pakistani prime Minister released him and sent him back home to India. “What is happening to Kashmiris is not known to common people, we must act with sensibility over the issue,” Abhinandan is heard saying in this fresh video.
Calling for peace between the two South Asian nuclear powers Abhinandan is heard pleading for peace. “we can live in peace, the Pakistani Army behaved in a professional manner with me, i find them professional,” he had said. When the plane as shot dead, Abhinandan claims, he saw both the countries and felt both the conutries were similar, as he ejected from the plane via a parachute. “I found both the countries similar, people are also not different,” he is heard saying.
“I do not know of exact ways to bring peace, but i have learnt that peace is the only way to go forward and we shall live in peace,” Abhinandan is heard saying.
Abhinandan added that the Pakistani troops took me to their unit, where he was provided medical aid and examined and given more aid. “Since then I have been here, in your care,” he is heard saying.
The Air strikes were conducted in the aftermath of Pulwama attack on February 14 2019.