Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman To Be Awarded Vir Chakra Today
Abhinandan Varthaman downed a Pakistani jet and landed in PoK after getting his MiG-21 fighter aircraft got hit
Mumbai: Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft aerial combat on February 27, 2019, is being awarded the Vir Chakra today by President Ram Nath Kovind in an investiture ceremony.
During aerial combat, Abhinandan shot down Pakistani F-16 fighter jets followed by the Pulwama attacks. He was promoted to the rank of Group Captain on November 3, 2021.
Varthaman’s MiG-21 fighter aircraft was hit after he took down the F-16 and he was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army after he landed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
The Pakistan Army was forced to release him due to the extensive pressure exerted by the Indian side along with the international intervention into the matter.
Besides Varthaman, Sapper Prakash Jadhav from Corps of Engineers will also be presented the second-highest peacetime gallantry award Kirti Chakra (posthumously) for neutralising terrorists in an operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal, who played a vital role in an operation where five terrorists were eliminated and 200 kg explosive material was recovered and Naib Subedar Sombir, who killed an A++ category terrorist during an operation in Jammu and Kashmir will be awarded the Shaurya Chakra.
Former Eastern Army Cdr Lt Gen Anil Chauhan (Retd), Engineer in Chief Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Southern Navy commander Vice Admiral Anil Chawla will receive Param Vishisht Seva Medal at the investiture. Eastern Air Commander Air Marshal Dilip Patnaik to receive Ati Vishisht Seva Medal.
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