His move to commercial aviation comes after a distinguished career in the IAFJoin conversation View All Comments → Share your thoughts in the comments Insightful Agree Disagree Skeptical Concerning Promising Worth Reading Big Development Post Comment Be respectful · TOI community guidelinesPoll Vote & Share your view What do you think of the role of the Indian Air Force in the India-Pakistan conflict in 2019?
Critical in ensuring national security Justified but should have avoided escalation Unnecessary, peace should have been prioritized 3k+ users shared opinion today 5k+ users already voted today 3k+ users shared opinion today Share OpinionFormer Indian Air Force Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot.Varthaman, who became widely known after shooting down a Pakistani fighter during an aerial engagement in 2019 before being captured by Pakistan, joined the airline in August.His move to commercial aviation comes after a distinguished career in the IAF, including his role in the aerial combat that followed India's Balakot air strikes.On February 26, 2019, the IAF carried out an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Balakot, Pakistan, days after a terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama killed 40 personnel.The following day, Pakistani fighter jets attempted to launch an aerial attack, prompting the IAF to scramble aircraft to intercept them.Varthaman, then a Wing Commander with the Srinagar-based 51 Squadron, was flying a MiG-21 Bison when he engaged a Pakistani F-16.
The IAF said he shot down the Pakistani fighter before his own aircraft was hit.Varthaman ejected over territory controlled by Pakistan and was taken into custody by the Pakistani Army.
He was released three days later following intense diplomatic and political pressure from India.He was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry award, in 2021 for his actions during the aerial engagement.
He was subsequently promoted to Group Captain.Also read | Balakot hero Abhinandan Varthaman conferred Vir Chakra
His move to commercial aviation comes after a distinguished career in the IAF
Join conversation View All Comments → Share your thoughts in the comments Insightful Agree Disagree Skeptical Concerning Promising Worth Reading Big Development Post Comment Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
Poll Vote & Share your view What do you think of the role of the Indian Air Force in the India-Pakistan conflict in 2019? Critical in ensuring national security Justified but should have avoided escalation Unnecessary, peace should have been prioritized 3k+ users shared opinion today 5k+ users already voted today 3k+ users shared opinion today Share Opinion
Former Indian Air Force Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot.Varthaman, who became widely known after shooting down a Pakistani fighter during an aerial engagement in 2019 before being captured by Pakistan, joined the airline in August.His move to commercial aviation comes after a distinguished career in the IAF, including his role in the aerial combat that followed India's Balakot air strikes.On February 26, 2019, the IAF carried out an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Balakot, Pakistan, days after a terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama killed 40 personnel.The following day, Pakistani fighter jets attempted to launch an aerial attack, prompting the IAF to scramble aircraft to intercept them.Varthaman, then a Wing Commander with the Srinagar-based 51 Squadron, was flying a MiG-21 Bison when he engaged a Pakistani F-16. The IAF said he shot down the Pakistani fighter before his own aircraft was hit.Varthaman ejected over territory controlled by Pakistan and was taken into custody by the Pakistani Army. He was released three days later following intense diplomatic and political pressure from India.He was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry award, in 2021 for his actions during the aerial engagement. He was subsequently promoted to Group Captain.Also read | Balakot hero Abhinandan Varthaman conferred Vir Chakra
