New Delhi, August 8: Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, Wing Commander Abhinanadan Varthaman who shot down Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet during aerial combat which took place on February 27 this year, will undergo medical fitness test soon to resume flying duties. Wing Commander Varthaman was taken off flying duties due to injuries he sustained in Pakistan after ejecting from his MiG-21 Bison. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Wants to Start Flying as Soon as Possible.
During the aerial combat, the IAF officer shot down the F-16 fighter jet after the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) violated the Indian airspace on February 27. Wg Cdr Varthaman’s fighter plane was also shot down after which he ejected from the jet. However, his parachute drifted to the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), where he was captured by the Pakistani Army. IAF Mobile Game Teaser Shows Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman-Like Character, Game to be Out on July 31; Watch Video.
The IAF pilot was released by Pakistan on March 1. After coming to India, he underwent a series of medical tests as part of the “cooling down” process at the Military Hospital in Delhi. Reports also surfaced that Wg Cdr Varthaman has been posted out of Srinagar due to security reasons.
For his bravery, the IAF officer will be awarded Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest military honour during wartime, reports said on Thursday citing top officials in the government. According to reports, five other IAF pilots will get Vayu Sena Medal for carrying out airstrikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Pakistan’s Balakot on February 26 to avenge Pulwama attack. A day later, the PAF violated the Indian airspace.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 08, 2019 07:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).