IAF pilot Abhinandan awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal
https://urbanresearchnetwork.org/jpn2nel7 According to the report, Abhinandan, who was recently promoted from wing commander to group captain, was awarded the medal for “showing conspicuous courage” while shooting down a Pakistani F-16 aircraft in February 2019 — a claim that has been rubbished by the Pakistan military, independent observers as well as the international media.
Delhi: Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhinandan Varthaman being accorded the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind, for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft during aerial combat on February 27, 2019. pic.twitter.com/vvbpAYuaJX
https://www.nativa-world.com/phic57g — ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2021
According to the report by The Indian Express, the citation for the award stated: “Wing Commander Abhinandan showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty.”
https://www.virtual-assembly.org/rvh7t0eme In addition, Abhinandan’s unit — 51 Squadron — also received an award citation, according to India Today.
Reacting to the reports, PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman tweeted: “Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody? #paralleluniverse”
Buy 20 Mg Valium Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody ? #paralleluniverse https://t.co/2FWr8fNTa8
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 22, 2021
“Fantastic,” wrote Focal Person to the Prime Minister on Digital Media Arslan Khalid. “Actually, I feel for Abhinandan. Just because of @narendramodi and Indian media denial of the defeat and embarrassment they had [back] then, poor Abhinandan is reminded of the episode every second month.”
Fantastic 😂 Actually I feel for Abhinandan. Just because of @narendramodi and Indian media denial of the defeat and embarrassment they had bk then, poor Abhinandan is reminded of the episode every second month. https://t.co/tXTDHihrT7 pic.twitter.com/204G0RTIxL
— Dr Arslan Khalid (@arslankhalid_m) November 22, 2021
According to a BBC report from 2019, the officer — who is the son of a decorated former pilot — was first commissioned as a fighter pilot in 2004.
Abhinandan was arrested on Feb 27, 2019, after his aircraft was shot down by the PAF upon violating Pakistani airspace.
He was initially captured by locals in Azad Kashmir before being taken into custody by Pakistan Army personnel. Videos of his capture showed army soldiers and officers intervening forcefully to save him from a crowd of angry citizens.
A wide cross-section of the Pakistani citizenry had subsequently called for him to be treated with respect and dignity.
Famously, a video released by the ISPR had shown the officer conversing with military officials in a congenial environment and acknowledging that he had been treated well.
“I’d like to put this on record; I will not change my statement even when I go back to my country. The officers of the Pakistan Army have looked after me very well,” Abhinandan had acknowledged in the video.
He was later handed over in a gesture of peace to India at the Wagah border on March 1, 2019.
https://www.omgphotobooth.com.au/2hh1te7m0b https://www.starcouriernews.com/2023/03/i3k3ps1hz3 Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman — who was captured by Pakistan in 2019 after his MiG 21 Bison aircraft was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet and later returned to India — was awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal on Monday, local media reported.
https://thewonderlist.net/8ylr026 According to The Indian Express, Abhinandan received the Vir Chakra — the third-highest wartime gallantry award after Param Vir Chakra and Maha Chakra — from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind at an investiture ceremony in the capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were also present at the ceremony.