Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to be Conferred With Vir Chakra on Independence Day 2019
Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet during aerial combat on February 27, will be conferred with Vir Chakra on Independence Day for displaying bravery against all the odds.
New Delhi, August 14: Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet during aerial combat on February 27, will be conferred with Vir Chakra. Wing Commander Varthaman is being bestowed with the honour on Independence Day for displaying bravery and equanimity in the face of grave danger. According to reports, five IAF pilots who conducted airstrikes in Pakistan's Balakot will also get Vayu Sena medal. IAF Mobile Game Teaser Shows Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman-Like Character, Game to be Out on July 31; Watch Video.
Squadron Leader Minty Aggarwal, who played an important role in intercepting the Pakistan Air Force’s attempt to violated Indian airspace is being named for the Yuddh Seva Medal. Meanwhile, Wg Cdr Varthaman on Sunday cleared medical tests to rejoin the IAF's flying duties. He underwent a medical checkup at IAF’s Bangaluru-based Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM). The IAF officer sustained injuries on February 27 during the aerial combat which took place after Pakistan Air Force (PAF) violated the Indian airspace a day after the IAF carried out airstrikes on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Balakot.
During the aerial combat, Wg Cdr Varthaman shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet with his Mig-21 Bison. His plane was also shot down. Though he ejected safely but his parachute drifted to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was then into custody by the Pakistani Army. On March 1, he released by Pakistan. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman Transferred Out of Srinagar by IAF Due to Security Reasons.
India will be celebrating its 73 Independence Day on Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unfurl the National Flag from the ramparts of Red Fort for the first time after coming to power for the second consecutive time post Bharatiya Janata Party's thumping victory in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2019 10:52 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).