WORLD : India Frees Texas, German Pilots
Indian authorities today released two American and two West German pilots 10 days after they were detained and questioned for flying over restricted airspace, the U.S. Embassy said.
“I can confirm that the four pilots . . . were unconditionally released (today),” said a U.S. Embassy official. He refused to elaborate, citing the U.S. Privacy Act.
The State Department identified the two as Frank Haile Jr. of Dallas and Carson Gilmore of Rocksprings, Tex.
The two, flying a Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft, were forced down by Indian fighters June 16 for intruding into restricted airspace over Bhuj area in western Gujarat state.
Two West Germans flying in formation with the Americans also were arrested. They were identified only by their last names, Kuhlmann and Kuffner.
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