Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman to be awarded Vir Chakra for shooting down Pakistani F16

Indian Air Force pilot, Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman is set to be awarded the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind, today.

On February 27, 2019, then Wing Commander, Varthaman shot down a Pakistan F-16 fighter aircraft during low altitude combat; he eventually had to eject in enemy territory after his own craft was shot.

"Wing Commander Varthaman pursued a retreating enemy fighter bomber aircraft, and in the ensuing aerial combat, shot down an F-16 aircraft. However, in the melee, one of the enemy aircraft fired multiple advanced BVR missiles, one of which hit his aircraft forcing him to eject in enemy territory. Despite being captured by the enemy he continued to display exceptional resolve in dealing with the adversary in a stoic, brave and dignified manner," reads a citation for his award.


Wing Commander Varthaman was captured by Pakistani security forces and repatriated to India on March 1, 2019.

"His actions raised the morale of the armed forces in general," adds the bio.