Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman clears tests to rejoin duty, to receive Vir Chakra: Sources

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is all set to return to his flying duties, as he has cleared all the tests required to rejoin the Forces, sources said. The clearance comes ahead of the Independence Day when he will be honoured with the Vir Chakra, the third-highest award of the country for bravery on the battlefield, as per sources.

The gunslinger moustache-sporting national hero captured the nation's heart after he shot down a Pakistan F-16 jet with a vintage MiG-21 jet he was flying. As per sources, Wing Commander Abhinandan will receive the award from the President of India on 14 August, before he goes on national duty.

How he became a national hero

Wing Commander Abhinandan was part of a 4-aircraft strong MIG-21 Bison Combat Air Patrol (CAP) formation above Srinagar. At a time of heightened alertness, their task was to patrol Srinagar's airspace.

On 27 February 2019, Varthaman was flying a MiG-21 as a part of a troop that was dispatched to intercept an intrusion by Pakistan aircraft into Jammu and Kashmir. Amid the dogfight that had ensued, the Wing Commander entered into Pakistan territory where he was struck by a missile and was captured subsequently.

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Display of valour and courage from the hero

In the high-altitude dogfight that ensued, flying a 1960s aircraft, Wing Commander Abhinandan used his close-combat R73 missile to shoot down a Pakistani F-16 - an unheard-of feat. He was released by Pakistan after 48 hours on March 1. While he was in Pakistan custody, he showed extreme courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances in the neighbouring country. 

While announcing the decision to release Wing Commander, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had attempted to paint a 'good gesture' narrative despite the truth being that he had been left with no option because of the relentless and inexorable pressure screw India had applied on Pakistan across multiple dimensions, demanding the immediate release of its heroic pilot.

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