Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan video released by Pakistan Army

Pakistan handed a captured Indian pilot back to his country on Friday (March 1) as the nuclear-armed neighbours scaled back their confrontation, at least temporarily. Please note: This video statement has been released by the government of Pakistan. The Sun is unable to verify the circumstances under which the statement was given. Television footage showed Wing Commander Abhinandan walking across the border near the town of Wagha just before p.m (16:00 GMT). Indian officials confirmed he had been returned and said he would be taken for medical checks. Abhinandan was shot down on Wednesday (February 27) while flying a MiG-21 fighter jet that crashed in Pakistani territory after a dogfight with a Pakistani JF-17. World powers have urged restraint from the two nations, as tensions escalated following a suicide car bombing that killed at least 40 Indian paramilitary police in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Feb. 14. Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said earlier on Friday the pilot would be released “as a gesture of peace and to de-escalate matters“. Before the pilot was released, Pakistani television stations broadcast video of him, looking cleaned up, thanking the Pakistani army for treating him well. Continue reading: Is it safe to travel to India? Travel advice during Kashmir-Pakistan conflict: What’s the latest India-Pakistan news and what is the Kashmir conflict about? Pakistani PM Imran Khan makes chilling nuke hint over India tensions as bloodied Indian pilot is forced to thank Pakistani army for rescuing him from mob: From Brexit breaking news to HD movie trailers, The Sun newspaper brings you the latest news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world. Become a Sun Subscriber and hit the bell to be the first to know Read The Sun: Like The Sun on Facebook: Follow The Sun on Twitter: Subscribe to The Sun on Snapchat: