Pakistan shot down an Indian fighter jet and captured its pilot, but instead of punishing him, they offered him tea. The pilot later said, “The tea is fantastic.” The man in question is Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force. In a video released after his capture, Abhinandan himself stated that Pakistani forces rescued him from a mob, gave him medical treatment, and treated him with dignity.
Following recent India-Pakistan tensions, this old incident has once again resurfaced on social media. In fact, during a protest outside the Pakistani High Commission in the UK, some even mocked Indian protesters by holding posters of Abhinandan.
Similar to the recent flare-up in Pahalgam, a significant event occurred in 2019. Following a terrorist attack in Pulwama, India blamed Pakistan and initiated an airstrike. On February 27, an Indian Air Force MiG-21 aircraft violated Pakistani airspace. The pilot was Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. In response, Pakistan launched a counterattack, shooting down the jet. Before the crash, Abhinandan ejected and landed via parachute in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where he was chased by locals. According to his account, he discarded his pistol and tried to flee but was soon found and protected by Pakistani soldiers.
“I want to say this on record, and I won’t change my statement even when I return home. Pakistani military officers treated me well. They behaved like gentlemen, especially the captain who rescued me from the mob and ensured I received medical attention at the base. I’m very impressed and hope our forces behave similarly,” Abhinandan said.
He described how the Pakistan Army treated him as a prisoner of war, providing medical care and a safe environment. In a video, Abhinandan added, “The Pakistan Army is very professional. They treated me with great respect.” One viral moment was when he praised the tea he was given: “The tea is fantastic.”
Eventually, Pakistan returned Abhinandan to India. The Pakistani government claimed it was a peace gesture. However, Indian media outlets like NDTV, Aaj Tak, and India Today alleged that India had pressured Pakistan and threatened military action if he was not released.
Some Indian reports even claimed that Abhinandan was nearly killed by a mob or subjected to 40 hours of inhumane treatment. In contrast, international outlets such as Al Jazeera and The Hindu reported that Pakistan’s decision was based on peace diplomacy, and Abhinandan was handed over at the Wagah border on March 1 following an official announcement by then Prime Minister Imran Khan. In another video, Abhinandan criticized Indian media:
“The Pakistan Army is highly professional. I saw peace among them. I’m genuinely impressed. Indian media exaggerates everything, making small issues seem big and confusing the public.”
With tensions rising again between India and Pakistan, this story has regained relevance—not just politically but also in terms of military capability. According to a Geo News report, by September 2023, the Indian Air Force had suffered 2,374 aircraft accidents, including 1,126 fighter jets, 1,248 other planes, 229 trainers, and 196 helicopters. These crashes claimed the lives of 1,305 skilled pilots. The MiG-21 that Abhinandan flew has often been called a “flying coffin” by Indian media and politicians, pointing to a grim gap between Bollywood’s heroics and battlefield realities.