From Our Special Correspondent

While Indians in Oman thanked Pakistan government for freeing captured Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Vartaman, Pakistanis in Oman praised their Prime Minister Imran Khan for his peace gesture.

Last Wednesday, Abhinandan, who strayed in Pak Occupied Kashmir airspace on MiG 21 Bison, was shot down by Pak forces and had to eject his aircraft.

He parachuted into Pak Occupied Kashmir and was taken into custody by Pak army personnel.

India and Pakistan were having an ‘unofficial war’ following the terror attack on February 14 by a JeM terrorist in which 42 Indian Reserve Police personnel were killed.

People may say it’s a diplomatic win for India. People may say Pakistan was under global pressure. People may say that Pakistan had to follow Geneva Convention in Abhinandan’s case. Whatever it may be, our fighter is back. And we would like to thank Pakistan government for that.

Suresh Kumar, Indian Worker

The Indian Reserve Police Force personnel were hit by an IED laden SUV driven by a JeM terrorist in Pulwama while their convoy of buses was moving to Srinagar. Following the attack, India had carried out an air raid across the India-Pak Line of Control (LoC) bombing JeM hideouts in Balkot.

“We don’t want both countries to have a war. We want peace. What the Pakistani government did is the right thing. It’s a gesture of peace. We are proud of our prime minister,” Abdul Rashid, a Pakistani worker in Muscat, told The Arabian Stories.

When the tensions were rising between India and Pakistan, Indians and Pakistanis have told The Arabian Stories that both countries should sit and talk other than heading to war.

“Terrorism is what we also suffer from. Neither, we don’t want that to happen in our country or in any other country. I see Imran Khan’s decision to free Abhinandan really as a peace move,” Rashid added.

On Friday evening, Abhinandan was escorted to Wagah Border and handed over to Indian authorities.

Mohammed Khan, another Pakistani worker in Muscat, told The Arabian Stories that such moves (freeing Abhinandan) will ease tension in the sub-continent and that’s what is needed.

“Pak PM has acted sensibly. We should not fail in applauding it,” Mohammed added.

Meanwhile, Suresh Kumar K, an Indian worker in Muscat, said that he thanks Pakistan for freeing Abhinandan. “People may say it’s a diplomatic win for India. People may say Pakistan was under global pressure. People may say that Pakistan had to follow Geneva Convention in Abhinandan’s case. Whatever it may be, our fighter is back. And we would like to thank Pakistan government for that,” Suresh Kumar said.

Abhinandan had turned into a hero for his courageous attitude and being composed even when he was grilled by the Pakistan army. Commenting on the freeing of Abhinandan, Manohar M, an Indian worker, said he doesn’t feel bad in thanking the Pak PM.

“Pak PM has done the right thing at the right time. Being insensible and denying freedom for Abhinandan would have worsened the situation. Both India and Pakistan are not in a position to afford a war. Let peace prevail by this. Let the tensions come down. I thank Imran Khan,” Manohar added.