Earlier, interest-free loans were announced for Emiratis whose businesses were affected by the rains, with a grace period of 6 to 12 months
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Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan finally stepped foot on Indian soil on late Friday evening.
Abhinandan had been captured in Pakistan after his plane was shot down by the PAF.
Earlier today, conflicting reports in Indian media suggested that he had been handed over to Indian authorities around 5 pm. Later on, it was revealed that the handing over of the pilot has been delayed due to procedural issues.
He was received by the Border Security Force (BSF) officials during the handover.
Pakistan released the Indian pilot who was captured after an IAF plane was shot down in its territory.
Abhinandan was handed over to the Indian High Commission in Pakistan. From there he was brought to the Attari-Wagah border.
The Border Security Force (BSF) had cancelled its flag-lowering and retreat ceremony at the border in view of the IAF pilot's return.
Varthaman's release comes after Prime Minister Imran Khan's statement on Thursday regarding his "desire of peace" and "as a first step to open negotiations" with India.
Khaleej Times' comprehensive 24-hour coverage brought you the latest news on Thursday's blog. We continue our live updates:
Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan!
The nation is proud of your exemplary courage.
Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians.
Vande Mataram!
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 1, 2019
???? Wing Cdr. Abhinandan, your dignity, poise and bravery made us all proud. Welcome back and much love. ????
- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 1, 2019
Proud of you Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman. The entire nation appreciates your valour and grit. You held your calm in the face of adversity. You are an inspiration to our youth. Salute. Vande Mataram.
- Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) March 1, 2019
Welcome home #Abhinandan
- Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) March 1, 2019
Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor at Attari-Wagah border: Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman has been handed over to us. He will now be taken for a detailed medical checkup because he had to eject from an aircraft. IAF is happy to have him back. pic.twitter.com/ZaaafjUQ90
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman returns to India. pic.twitter.com/0uvWUBchcx
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman crosses border to enter India. pic.twitter.com/wAIcwCbkKZ
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman at Wagah-Attari border, to cross border soon to enter India. pic.twitter.com/a1hVjwroVw
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman at Wagah-Attari border pic.twitter.com/WGz0LaNvX3
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
Indian media: 'There are some procedural delays'https://t.co/QkyQlA5MiW
- Dawn.com (@dawn_com) March 1, 2019
A reprieve, a relief #AbhinandanVarthaman as he steps in his home turf. Long live peace. Let's grow together for the welfare of human kind. Peace is dearest to God. #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan pic.twitter.com/GVpHnVLXJX
- ALL INDIA RADIO (@AkashvaniAIR) March 1, 2019
#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan - Wing Commander Abhinandan 'may' step out for the media and a statement likely to be issued by AVM RGK Kapoor: Sources. | @shreyadhoundial with more insights.
LIVE UPDATES :: https://t.co/xP2eVedv5C pic.twitter.com/E6XEhMQaC4
- News18 (@CNNnews18) March 1, 2019
Teams of International Committee of #RedCross officials are present on both sides of the border and the captured pilot #Abhinanadan is expected to undergo medical examination after he crosses the borderhttps://t.co/69Wq8b8YPf
- The Express Tribune (@etribune) March 1, 2019
LIVE: #India has reportedly cancelled the flag-lowering ceremony on the #Wagah border
- The Express Tribune (@etribune) March 1, 2019
LIVE: #Indian high commission officials are also present at #Wagah Border with #AbhinandanVarthaman https://t.co/69Wq8b8YPf
- The Express Tribune (@etribune) March 1, 2019
LIVE: People and media gather before the arrival of captured #IndianAirForce pilot near #Wagah border, on the outskirts of the northern city of #Amritsar, #India.
Photo: reuters pic.twitter.com/bAf5a4U62q
- The Express Tribune (@etribune) March 1, 2019
LIVE: Captured #IndianAirForce (IAF) Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman has been transported to the #WagahBorder ahead of his repatriation to #india pic.twitter.com/6p6rPlmrZD
- The Express Tribune (@etribune) March 1, 2019
Visuals from Attari-Wagah border; Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman to be received by a team of Indian Air Force. pic.twitter.com/C4wv14AEAd
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
Pakistan: Visuals from Wagah in Lahore; IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman will soon be handed over to the Indian Air Force at Attari-Wagah border pic.twitter.com/xEPghVgNzi
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
PM Narendra Modi in Kanyakumari,Tamil Nadu: Every Indian is proud that the brave Wing Commander #Abhinanadan is from Tamil Nadu pic.twitter.com/xUkmAhV5MO
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
Indian Air Attaché Group Captain J.T. Krain has left for Lahore with travel documents of the pilot.https://t.co/ZRvD1JklNd
- Dawn.com (@dawn_com) March 1, 2019
Deputy Commissioner Shiv Dular Singh Dhillon, Amritsar: Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman will cross the border today, can't tell you exact time since there are certain formalities. A senior Indian Air force team from Delhi is here, they will be the ones to receive him. pic.twitter.com/np8iCrCn5h
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi: The Indian Pilot (#AbhinanadanVarthaman) will be released this afternoon via Wagah. pic.twitter.com/B4kRwcM9zo
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
Visuals from the Attari-Wagah border. Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman will be released by Pakistan today. pic.twitter.com/6x30IQpqbB7:35am
- ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2019
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