Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will soon get his deserved honor. In a welcome decision, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has recommended a Vir Chakra for the brave pilot. Wing Commander Abhinandan, who shot into limelight for destroying an advanced F-16 fighter jet with his archaic Mig-21 Bison fighter jet, was captured by Pakistani forces after his plane was shot down in Pakistan. However, thanks to concentrated pressure by Indian government, as well as the international support that was garnered in his favor, forced Pakistan to release him within two and a half days of his captivity.
According to confirmed sources from the IAF, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has been recommended for the Vir Chakra for the valor he displayed against the invading F-16 fighter jets. For those unaware, Vir Chakra is a wartime gallantry medal, which is given to Indian soldiers for exceptional bravery. It is the third highest gallantry award in India. Maha Vir Chakra is India’s second highest wartime gallantry award, while Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest gallantry medal.
As of now, Wing Commander Abhinandan has been relocated to an undisclosed fighter airbase in the western sector, considering the security concerns for the brave pilot. Once he clears some more tests, he shall be eligible to join an active fighting squadron again, according to the same sources.
The brave IAF pilots, who led the famous squadron of Mirage 2000 fighter jets that bombed the terror camps and control rooms in Balakot, Chakoti and Muzaffarabad in precise air strikes, executed as a part of preemptive action, in retaliation for the dastardly Pulwama attacks, have also been recommended for the Vayu Sena medals, a distinguished gallantry award given to IAF pilots for remarkable bravery.
To quote an IAF official, “As for the gallantry medals, it’s a confidential process. The medals are officially announced only after the President inks the file.”
For those unaware, following the air strikes executed by IAF, Pakistan, aghast by the same, invaded India with a squadron of F-16 fighter jets, equipped with AMRAAM air-to-air missiles. They were all set to strike important Indian security installations in the Kashmir Valley.
However, they were intercepted mid-air by Indian fighter jets, one of which was Wing Commander Abhinandan’s MIG-21 Bison fighter jet. In the ensuing dogfight, despite being ill-equipped, Wing Commander Abhinandan shot down a much superior F-16 fighter jet. However, the dogfight had taken him farther, and he was shot down within the Pakistani airspace.
He was assaulted by the hostile locals, before being handed over to the Pakistani forces. Following immense international pressure, both from India and the international community, the Pakistanis were forced to release Wing Commander Abhinandan within 60 hours of his captivity, by 1st March 2019. The brave fighter pilot’s valor deserves recognition in all ways possible and the Vir Chakra is a fitting honor in that sense.