IAF pilot Abhinandan to undergo medical & psychological tests before he resumes duty

Even as Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistan on Feb 27, was handed over to Indian authorities on Friday evening , it is believed that there is still some time before he could resume his professional duties.

As per the laws governing Indian military personnel, any serving officer who has recently returned from enemy captivity must undergo a series of tests, psychological and medical among others. It is believed that Abhinandan will also be debriefed by a senior IAF official.

The purpose of these tests, as per the “in-service” law, is to ensure that the military official hasn’t been “brainwashed” by the enemy.

Reading out from a prepared statement after he received the IAF pilot, Air Vice Marshall RGK Kapoor told reporters that Varthaman would be taken for a medical check-up since he had suffered great stress in being ejected out of the aircraft.

While the exact duration before Abhinandan gets back to flying Indian fighter jets is unknown, estimates range to as much as six months, provided everything turns out to be in order.

A team of Indian Air Force officials received Wing Commander Abhinandan at the Wagah border on Friday evening.

Varthaman's MiG 21 was shot and he bailed out after bringing down one Pakistani F-16 fighter during a dogfight to repel a Pakistani attack on Wednesday morning. He has been in Pakistan since then.

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Parliament on Thursday that Varthaman would be released on Friday as a "peace gesture".

Tensions between the two countries escalated after Indian fighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday. It came 12 days after the JeM claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers.

(Updated at 10:04 PM)