Pakistan hands over fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman to India at Attari

At 9.25 pm on Friday, Wing Commander Abhinandan set foot on Indian soil through Attari border, ending anxious hours for the country that eagerly stood in wait of its hero. Dressed in a blue coat, the pilot exemplified the valour he displayed after his dramatic capture in Pakistan following a dogfight between his MiG-21 and an F-16. As he crossed over from Wagha to Attari, he looked every inch a proud officer wearing his bravery as a badge of honour.

No emotion betrayed Veerappan's – as he is fondly known in the Air Force – face, walking ramrod straight towards India even as cameras flashed lights on the show stopper. He was accompanied by Group Captain Joy Thomas Kurien, Defence Attache to Indian High Commission in Pakistan.

Minutes after India's pilot was received amid muted celebrations, Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor addressed the media that had parked itself at Attari since morning. The Air Vice Marshal said the Indian Air Force was happy to receive Wing Commander Abhinandan. "He has been handed over to us as per standard operating procedure. He will be taken for a detailed medical checkup as his body would be under tremendous stress since he had ejected from the jet."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ram Nath Kovind, and politicians from across parties congratulated the fighter pilot on his return.

Though termed a "peace gesture" by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Abhinandan's release is a shining example of India's growing clout in the diplomatic circle. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan summed it up: "No political meaning should be drawn from my statement. But the relationship that by our prime minister built with America and our neighbouring countries in the past few years, is working in our favour today. Several countries supported us [in Varathaman's release]."

The entire nation remained glued to the television through Friday in a nail-biting chain of events. As crores of people fretted with anticipation hours since morning when the news came in that Wing Commander Abhinandan will be released between 2 to 4 pm, the mood oscillated between euphoria, eagerness, to relief when a few minutes after 9, it was formally announced that the handsome officer, the latest cynosure of India, has reached the border and will soon enter his motherland.

Since morning, Attari border had started to burst at its seams with a large turnout of people, hoping to catch a glimpse of the braveheart. And it was not just locals. Young and old alike travelled from far and wide – Delhi, Jaipur, Gurugram, Chandigarh, far-flung villages in Punjab to express their gratitude towards the fighter pilot who displayed immense courage and grace in enemy confinement.

While the BSF had cancelled the beating retreat ceremony for the day because of the development, everyone remained at the border till late evening. Few villagers from interior Punjab had also brought colourful garlands for "sadda hero"(our hero), clearly overwhelmed by the 38-year-old show stealer. "Abhinandan ne dil jit litta. Main dhanvaad karan aaya haan baretta ton. Rab onu lambi umaran bakshe (Abhinandan has won our heart. I am here to say thanks. May god add more years to his life), Gurbaksh Singh, a resident of Mansa said. Some over-eager enthusiasts danced to the sound of dhols and others distributed sweets, intermittently asking journalists gathered at the spot if they have received any information.

The entire brass of district police and administration- from deputy commissioner to top cops remained on alert as the day began. Five hundred cops of Punjab police were deployed at the venue who remained equally curious.

However, by 7 as high energy levels of bystanders waned, and rain chilled the air, only journalists, cops and defence personnel were left waiting for Wing Commander Abhinandan who was greeted with a handshake in an image which will not be forgotten in a long time.