Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who became the face ofthe tense military confrontation between India and Pakistan, conveyed to theIAF brass that he wants to return to the cockpit as soon as possible, officialssaid Sunday.
For the last two days, the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot hasbeen undergoing medical treatment at a military hospital here.
Varthaman told senior IAF commanders and doctors treatinghim that he wants to start flying at the earliest, the officials told PTI.
On Wednesday, he became the first IAF pilot to shoot down anF-16 fighter jet during an aerial combat with the Pakistani Air Force.Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army after his MiG-21 Bison jet was hitin a fierce dogfight.
He returned to India to a hero’s welcome on Friday night.
His health condition is being monitored by a group ofdoctors at the Army’s Research and Referral hospital, the officials said.
“The efforts have been to ensure that he returns to thecockpit soon,” said a military official.
The officials said Varthaman has been in high spiritsdespite the harassment he suffered in Pakistan.
Varthaman arrived in the national capital on an IAF flightaround 11:45 PM Friday, nearly two-and-half hours after he crossed over toIndia through the Attari-Wagah border.
The IAF pilot was first taken to the Air Force CentralMedical Establishment (AFCME), a compact and specialised medical evaluationcentre for aircrew of all the three services.
Later he was brought to the Army’s Research and Referralhospital.
After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace inhandling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised bypoliticians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and peoplein general.
Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa met Varthaman separately on Saturday during which he apprised themabout the mental trauma he was subjected to during his captivity in Pakistan.
During the meeting, the defence minister commended him onhis valour and expressed the nation’s gratitude for his selfless service.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indianfighters bombed militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed’s biggest training camp nearBalakot, deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday.
Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian militaryinstallations on Wednesday. However, the IAF thwarted their plans.
The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after themilitant outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy inKashmir, killing 40 soldiers.