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Indian Pilot Captured by Pakistan Returns Home

by Anjana Pasricha

   NEW DELHI --

   The Indian pilot captured by Pakistan after his fighter jet went down
   over disputed Kashmir has been returned to India by Islamabad. His
   return is expected to avert a dangerous confrontation that had raised
   fears of a wider conflict between the two countries.
   Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman crossed into India at the Wagah
   border road crossing between the two countries late Friday.
   Indian air force officials who received the pilot said they were happy
   to have him back. A huge crowd had gathered at the border throughout
   the day waving flags, dancing, cheering and calling the fighter pilot a
   hero.
   Pakistan has called the pilot's release "a gesture of peace" as both
   countries come under intense diplomatic pressure to step back from a
   confrontation.
   Tensions spiraled dangerously after Pakistani jets crossed into Indian
   territory in response to India's bombing of a suspected terrorist camp
   inside Pakistan a day earlier. The Indian pilot was captured after his
   MiG fighter jet crashed in Pakistani territory.