New Delhi, March 3: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who is undergoing medical treatment as part of a 'cooling down' process after his release from Pakistan's captivity, conveyed to the IAF brass that he wants to start flying as soon as possible. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman told senior IAF commanders and doctors treating him that he wants to return to the cockpit at the earliest, officials told news agency PTI on Sunday.

"The efforts have been to ensure that he returns to the cockpit soon," a military official was quoted as saying. Wing Commander Abhinandan has sustained an injury in his lower spine which could have happened following his ejection from the MiG-21 fighter plane after a dogfight with Pakistani F-16 jets on Wednesday, sources told news agency ANI. He also has a rib injury due to an assault by the Pakistani locals. Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa Says 'Can't Count How Many Died In IAF Strike in Balakot', Adds Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Will Be in Fighter Cockpit After Medical Test. 

The IAF pilot will undergo more check-ups and treatment at the Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment for the next 10 days. On Saturday, he told Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman that he was subjected to mental harassment during his nearly 60-hour captivity in Pakistan. After his return to India, Wing Commander Abhinandan was first taken to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment (AFCME).

Later he was brought to the Army’s Research and Referral hospital. After the IAF conducted a bombing on terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed’s biggest training camp near Balakot deep inside Pakistan early Tuesday, Pakistan attempted a retaliation. Pakistan Air Force (PAF) deployed F-16s, JF-17s and Mirage-5 attack jets to target Indian military installations across the LoC. To foil their bid, Wing Commander Abhinandan along with other five MiG-21 pilots scrambled from Srinagar. Pakistan Lie Busted Again! Lockheed Martin Not Suing India For Claiming MiG-21 Shot Down F-16 Fighter Jet.

During the aerial fight which lasted for about 15 minutes, Wing Commander Abhinandan shot down PAF's F-16 fight jet, becoming the first pilot to do so with a MiG-21 Bison. In this process, his plane crossed over to the Pakistani side and was shot down. Abhinandan ejected safely but was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army upon landing. His ordeal came to an end after several hours of uncertainty on Friday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 03, 2019 08:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).