Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman will be awarded the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind for his achievement against Pakistan in February 2019.
Abhinandan is credited for being the only MiG-21 pilot who shot down an F-16. (file photo)
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman will be awarded the Vir Chakra on Monday, November 22 by President Ram Nath Kovind at an adornment ceremony for the downing of a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet in February 2019.
He shot down an F-16 over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during India’s Balakot airstrike, but was taken prisoner by the Pakistani army after his plane was shot down by enemy forces. Abhinandan was then the Wing Commander.
Abhinandan is credited for being the only MiG-21 pilot who shot down an F-16.
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indian air force first Abhinandan promoted to the rank of Group Captain,
Abhinandan’s Unit 51 Squadron also received a Unit Citation for its role in thwarting the Pakistan Air Force air strike on February 27, 2019. India carried out attacks in retaliation for the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s attack on the CRPF convoy.
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