New Delhi: Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’ 51 Squadron will be awarded unit citation by Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria for thwarting Pakistani aerial attack and shooting down their F-16 fighter aircraft on Feb 27, earlier this year.
The award is slated to be received by commanding officer Group Captain Satish Pawar on October 8. During Pakistan’s counter-attack on India in response to the Balakot airstrike, Abhinandan flew a MiG-21 Bison fighter into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Abhinandan was grounded due to ejection from his MiG-21 which was shot down in the aerial conflict with Pakistan Air Force F-16s.
Abhinandan was released by the Pakistan government after pressure was exerted by India and the international community. He was also conferred with the third-highest wartime gallantry award, Vir Chakra on the 73rd Independence Day.
Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal’s 601 Signal unit will also be awarded for their role in Balakot aerial strikes and foiling the aerial attack by Pakistan in February.
The number nine squadron, whose Mirage 2000 fighter aircraft carried out the Balakot aerial strikes on February 26 during ‘Operation Bandar’, will also be awarded.
Also read: Abhinandan flies MiG-21, with IAF chief as the lead pilot
He shot down a F16 jet sitting in a MiG-21.
That too without firing any missile. He deserves at least 7 Vir Chakras for this.
All of his unfired missiles are available with PAF and any independent observer can go and check with them.
I dont understand what he has done and we are giving him so much of hype.
1) He was shot down.
2) He was arrested.
3) He was released due to international pressure.
I dont understand what is great thing which entities him for anything.Hope someone can explain here.
Nobody here can answer your questions.
They are blinded with the narrative of their fake media and war-mongering ideology of their ModiNazi leader.
Just to glorify IAF, they are putting a false claim of F-16 which everybody laughs upon.