Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar rejoice after captured Indian pilot is freed by Pakistan

Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman was handed over to Indian officials near a border crossing between the neighbouring countries on Friday.

Varthaman was captured by Pakistan military earlier this week in the disputed region of Kashmir as tensions rose between the nations.

Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said: "The way the nation has supported our armed forces is extraordinary and I bow to every Indian for that."

But, after the pilot's release on Friday, Indian cricket captain Kohli tweeted: "Real Hero. I bow down to you. Jai Hind."

Legend Tendulkar, meanwhile, said: "A hero is more than just four letters. Through his courage, selflessness and perseverance, OUR HERO teaches us to have faith in ourselves."

Both cricket superstars have over 28 million Twitter followers and are huge stars in their country.

Varthaman was captured in retaliation to India carrying out air strikes in Pakistan on Tuesday.

Indian officials targeted a training camp for militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad.

That air strike was in response to a suicide bombing in Kashmir in February that killed at least 40 Indian tropps which Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed credit for.

Pakistan denies any role in the terrorist attack and said they do not support militants.


Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, a former cricketer himself, said that Varthaman was released as "a peace gesture" and urged talks with Delhi.

British boxer Amir Khan, who has Pakistani heritage, was accused of inciting hatred on Thursday after tweeting images of him with the Pakistan army.

The former unified light-welterweight world champion posted a photo of himself with members of the Pakistani armed forces and the caption: "We stand with #PakArmy."

One comment in response to Khan's tweet read: "Really? Inciting Pakistan vs India wars and hatred… you were born in Bolton and won gold for Britain, which is a multi-cultural society that you would be up in arms with should we show such hostility."

Another wrote: "You should stand up for peace and resolution, soldiers die, families suffer."

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