Fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, known for his role in post Balakot operations, joins Goa-based airline as pilot | Today’s news
Former Indian Air Force captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet after Balakot operations, has reportedly quit the Indian Air Force to join a private airline, sources said on Wednesday.
He has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, sources told PTI. They said Varthaman had joined the airline as a pilot in August.
When contacted, a FLY91 spokesperson said personal information about employees is a private matter and would not comment.
Further details could not be immediately ascertained.
FLY91, which started flying in March 2024, currently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft. The airline’s two bases are Goa and Hyderabad.
Varthaman was awarded the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a skirmish over the Line of Control (LoC) on 27 February 2019. He was held captive in that country for three days, and was awarded the Vir Chakra in 2021.
The Indian Air Force fighter pilot was awarded the Vir Chakra — India’s third highest war medal for gallantry — for displaying an “extraordinary sense of duty” during the combat, according to the award’s citation.
What happened in 2019
Abhinandan was part of Srinagar-based 51 Squadron and flew to thwart an air strike launched by the Pakistanis on 27 February 2019.
On February 26, India launched an airstrike against a Pakistani terror outfit in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region operated by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
On 27 February, a large force of Pakistan Air Force fighter jets, consisting of advanced fourth-generation F-16s and JF-17s, was detected heading towards the ceasefire line.
Abhinandan tried to capture this package. Abhinandan showed exceptional aerial acumen and knowledge of enemy tactics, scouting the airspace at low altitude and picking up a low-flying enemy aircraft to ambush an Indian fighter.
Abhinandan alerted the other pilots to the surprising threat. He then consolidated retaliation against Pakistani aircraft dropping weapons on Indian Army positions.
This act caused all the enemy aircraft to turn back. Abhinandan then chased down a retreating enemy fighter-bomber and shot down an F-16 with his cruise missile in the ensuing dogfight. However, in the process, one of the Pakistani aircraft fired several times, forcing him to eject in enemy territory.
Despite being captured in territory, he continued to show exceptional determination towards the Pakistani forces with bravery and stoicism.
The Pakistan Army was forced to release him due to extensive pressure exerted by the Indian side along with international intervention in the matter.
(With inputs from PTI, HT)
