WING COMMANDER ABHINANDAN VARTHAMAN RETURNS TO INDIA
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who got shot down and drifted into the Pak Occupied Territory while successfully shooting down a Pak F-16 aircraftreturned to India on March 1, 2019. His planned handing over at around 3 pm at Wagah-Attari border was delayed by several hours to 9.22 pm by Pakistan. Reports indicate that the delay was because the Pak military was shooting a video of him for carrying out false propaganda—which was highlighted by an extensively edited video that was tweeted by them immediately after his release. However, the video was subsequently deleted.
After the initial medical check-up, he was taken for a detailed medical check up Delhi—a mandatory requirement as he had ejected from an aircraft which would have put his entire body under great stress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Wing Commander Abhinandan and tweeted “Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. VandeMataram!”
OPENING CEREMONY: INDIA-BANGLADESH JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE SAMPRITI – 2019
The eighth edition of joint military Exercise Sampriti-VIII is being conducted at Tangail, Bangladesh from March 2 to March 15, 2019. The opening ceremony was held on March 3, 2019. Bangladesh contingent is represented by 36 East Bengal Battalion, while Indian side is represented by 9th Battalion the Rajputana Rifles. The aim of this exercise is to increase mutual cooperation, bonhomie and camaraderie between the two armies through interoperability and joint tactical exercises. In this eighth edition of the exercise, which started in 2009 as a platoon level exercise and graduated to company level exercise since 2015 onwards, both sides aim will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed tactical drills for neutralisation of likely threats that may be encountered during simulated UN peace keeping operations as also hold discussions to share each other’s experiences in varied topics for mutual benefits.
VISIT OF NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE & SECURITY OF VIETNAM
A 10-member Vietnamese delegation led by, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Defence & Security of Vietnam, visited the Officers’ Training Academy (OTA). Gaya. The delegation met the Vietnamese Gentlemen Cadets undergoing training at the OTA.
