People gather at Attari to welcome Abhinandan

With India enthusiastically awaiting the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, hundreds of people have gathered at the Attari border on Friday to catch a glimpse of the pilot after his release from Pakistan.

As a "gesture of peace" Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced in Parliament on Thursday that Varthaman would be released on Friday.

According to reports, patriotic fervour prevailed at the border with border residents singing songs, beating drums and carrying the tricolour in their hands. Tunes of patriotic songs and slogans like "Bharat Mata ki Jai" are echoing at the border.

Security arrangements have been further strengthened here, with Punjab Police personnel also deployed in numbers.