Air of silence in downed pilot’s home, neighbours shell shocked

Local policemen have been guarding the gates since the news of the officer, whose fighter aircraft was reportedly shot down, broke out around 3 pm. A native of Kanchipuram, Abhinandan is a third-generation officer whose parents are currently residing in the colony at Jal Vayu Vihar.  His father is a retired Air Marshall S Varthaman and mother Shobha Varthaman, a doctor, and a leading member with the Doctors without Boundaries. 

Abhinandan’s grandfather was also a retired Air force officer who last served at Air Force Station in Tambaram. After completion of his schooling at Sainik School in Amaravati Nagar, he joined the National Defence Academy in Chennai. Later, he was trained at Air Force Training Academy in Belgaum. The officer has an experience of over 15 years in flying. 

“I feel distraught for the family. His father is three years junior to me. They are very nice people and a loving couple. His son is one of the ace pilots in the force. We are shocked after seeing the news. I am certain something must have gone wrong,” said retired colonel Sundar, a family friend.  “I only pray for the family who should be endowed with immense strength to sail through the tough times,” he added. 

Abhinandan also has an elder sister who is currently living in France. His family members preferred not to interact with the media and remained indoors.

Abhi’s kin pray for safe release,seek PM’s help

The family members of IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was said to be missing and now in Pakistan’s custody, on Wednesday prayed for his safe release and appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Government to take necessary steps in this regard.

Talking to reporters in front of ‘Jal Vayu Vihar’, the IAF residential quarters at suburban Madambakkam near Tambaram, where Abhinandan’s father Varthaman, a retired IAF official, and mother were living, one of the relatives, Kundanathan, said he was barred from entering Varthaman’s house. Kundanathan said he was a close relative of Abhinandan and he came to meet Varthaman on hearing the news but was refused entry. 

He said the family hailed from Tirupannur village in Kancheepuram district. “They would certainly be distraught (to hear that Abhinandan was missing and was reportedly in Pakistan’s custody), while foiling Pakistan’s attempt to target military installations on the Indian side.” He said only Abhinandan’s parents lived here. Abhinandan was married and lived with his family in the North. Welling with emotion, Kundanathan said he had seen Abhinandan from his childhood days and was praying for his safe release. He urged the Prime Minister and the Indian government to take steps  to ensure Abhinandan’s safe return.