Retracting from its earlier statement that two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were under its custody, Pakistan Army on Wednesday evening said it has arrested “only one” Indian pilot.
“There is only one pilot under Pakistan Army’s custody. Wing Comd Abhinandan is being treated as per norms of military ethics,” Pakistani military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted.
Later, a video of Abhinandan was released in which he is seen praising the Pakistan Army for treating him well.
Let’s say thank you to the Indian Air Force.They successfully took out a terror camp yesterday and repulsed a Pak air attack today. It is only when we see the pictures of Wing Commander Abhinandan in custody that we realise how many risks they take to keep us safe
— vir sanghvi (@virsanghvi) February 27, 2019
We owe them
The wing commander, whose MiG 21 Bison aircraft was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force while engaged in hot pursuit to repel the enemy attack earlier in the day, ejected safely but landed across the Line of Control and was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army.
#Pakistan Air Force targeted #Indian military installations this morning; IAF detected and foiled the attempt; #IAF shot down 1 Pakistani aircraft; Unfortunately we lost 1 MiG 21 aircraft: @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/oIC9InOqv5
— PIB India (@PIB_India) February 27, 2019
In a video released just after his detention, Abhinandan was seen bloodied and blindfolded but answering questions in a composed and stoic manner. Several video clips surfaced on social media where he is seen beaten by locals while lying in a stream before being taken away by a soldier.
An air marshal on watsapp has just forwarded this message from Air Marshal (Retd) Varthaman, father of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. Remember what they go through REPEATEDLY & ACCEPT willingly, so that you and I can be free pic.twitter.com/o7deM9Imgo
— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) February 27, 2019
Meanwhile, India summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan and demanded the immediate and safe return of Abhinandan.
It has also made clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the Indian defence personnel, the External Affairs Ministry said, adding that it has conveyed strong objection to the neighbouring country over the “vulgar display” of injured personnel in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.
Indian officials say Pakistan mystery reference to two pilots in their custody (later amended to one) was because two of their pilots bailed out and were mistaken for ours. At any rate hope #Abhinandan comes home soon. Can't even imagine what his family is going through. Prayers
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) February 27, 2019
The rules protecting prisoners of war (POWs) are specific. They were first detailed in the 1929 Geneva Convention and later amended in the third 1949 Geneva Convention following the lessons of World War II.
While we don't know the exact circumstances in which the IAF pilot was shot down, lets not, for a moment, forget that he shot down an F-16 first (possibly an F-16 Block 50) with an upgraded MiG 21 Bison, a jet which first entered service with the IAF in the sixties.
— Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) February 27, 2019
According to the rules, the status of POW only applies in international armed conflict. “POWs are usually members of the armed forces of one of the parties to a conflict who fall into the hands of the adverse party,” the Convention states.
Statement by Official Spokesperson today
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 27, 2019
➡️ https://t.co/OEUNq7z5iY pic.twitter.com/nVkxqqjl2b
It says POWs cannot be prosecuted for taking a direct part in hostilities. “Their detention is not a form of punishment, but only aims to prevent further participation in the conflict. They must be released and repatriated without delay after the end of hostilities. The detaining power may prosecute them for possible war crimes, but not for acts of violence that are lawful under International Humantarian Law,” it says.
The rules specify that POWs must be treated humanely in all circumstances. “They are protected against any act of violence, as well as against intimidation, insults, and public curiosity,” the Geneva Convention states.
Pakistan just made the record of being the solo country in the world which deploys its Air Force to show solidarity with terrorists
— Jaiveer Shergill (@JaiveerShergill) February 27, 2019
Ejected, beaten, bloodied, blindfolded, handcuffed, in enemy captivity...
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) February 27, 2019
What do you say?
This is my name, rank & religion. I’m not supposed to tell you anything else.
Such courage, calm and professionalism it shows. You’re an inspiration to your countrymen Wg Cdr Abhinandan
FROM US TO UK, MAJOR WORLD POWERS URGE INDIA, PAKISTAN TO AVOID FURTHER MILITARY ACTION
The United States, the United Kingdom, Russia and the European Union on Wednesday urged the two neighbouring countries to exercise utmost restraint and avoid further military action.
From asking the two nations to holding peace talks to ensuring regional stability, major powers across the world urged India and Pakistan to adopt steps to de-escalate the tension.
Here is what the major global powers said:
Avoid escalation at any cost: US
Concerned over the prevailing situation, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held separate talks with foreign ministers of both the nations and urged them to refrain from “further military activity”.
“I expressed to both ministers that we encourage India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, and avoid escalation at any cost,” Pompeo, who is accompanying President Donald Trump at the second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, said in Vietnam.
India, Pakistan must ensure regional stability: UK
UK Prime Minister Theresa May also voiced her concerns over the deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan and called for regional stability.
She said, “The UK is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan and urgently calls for restraint on both sides to avoid further escalation. We are in regular contact with both countries, urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability.”
Responding to an urgent question on “The situation in Jammu & Kashmir” during the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session, May told the House of Commons that the UK remained in regular contact with both countries and was working towards de-escalating tensions.
China asks India, Pakistan to resolve tension through talks
Asking the two sides to engage in dialogue to uphold the peace and stability in the region, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, “I understand that in the latest development, Pakistan says it had shot down two Indian aircraft and captured Indian pilots.”
Russia expresses “serious concern” over ongoing tension
Moscow called on both sides to exercise “restraint”, and said the existing problems should be solved by “political and diplomatic means”.
Rising tension can have serious consequences: European Union
Calling for utmost restraint, the European Union said that the rising tension between the two countries has the potential to lead to “dangerous consequences”.
In a statement, European Union Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini said, “Following the recent terrorist attack in Pulwama, tensions along the ‘Line of Control’ between India and Pakistan have escalated militarily during the last days. This has the potential to lead to serious and dangerous consequences for the two countries and the wider region.”
Mogherini, who is also the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said the EU expects both countries to “now exercise utmost restraint” and avoid any further escalation.
“To this end, the resumption of diplomatic contacts at political level and implementation of urgent measures by both sides is vital,” she said.
“Terrorism can never be justified. I spoke a few days ago by telephone with the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to emphasise the need to continue to address terrorism, including clear and targeted actions related to all forms of terrorist activity,” she added.
