Abhinandan Varthaman, now a group captain, had shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an aerial dogfight over the Line of Control (LoC) in February, 2019. The 38-year-old, hails from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district.
Published on Nov 22, 2021 12:07 PM ISTByhindustantimes.com, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
Abhinandan Varthaman was awarded the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday. With this, he has joined the long legacy of brave soldiers who were awarded for their bravery. The award was given at an investiture ceremony held in Rashtrapati Bhavan.
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Varthaman is an alumnus of the Khadakwasla-based National Defence Academy. He was an accomplished Sukhoi-30 fighter pilot before being assigned to the MiG-21 Bison squadron.
He was captured by Pakistani forces after his MiG-21 aircraft was shot down during the dogfight in 2019. It took place a day after the Indian Air Force?s Mirage-2000s struck targets in Pakistan?s Balakot. Varthaman’s release was announced by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, as ?a peace gesture?.
The 38-year-old, who is married and has two children, hails from Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvannamalai district but completed his education in Delhi because his father – a decorated and senior officer of the IAF – was posted in the capital.
His father, Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman, played a significant role during the 1999 Kargil conflict. His mother, Shobha, is a doctor.
Abhinandan Varthaman is also an alumnus of Sainik School Amaravathinagar in Tamil Nadu. He stayed at Tambaram in Chennai while pursuing the flying instructor’s course there.SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
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