evidence: After remaining rather silent on Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s release order by his Pakistani counterpart Imran Khan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, 1 March, finally referenced his release directly. Varthaman was captured by Pakistan on 27 February when he landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir after an aerial engagement with a Pakistani jet. Speaking at a public meeting in Kanyakumari, Modi said, "Every Indian should be proud of Wing Commander Abhinandan, who is from Tamil Nadu."