Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be conferred with Vir Chakra on Independence Day. Abhinandan became the face of the military confrontation between Indian and Pakistan in February this year.
The IAF officer foiled the Pakistani retaliation and in a dog fight, Abhinandan shot down an F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force. The wing commander cleared all medical tests and is also now ready to resume his duties.
Abhinandan Varthaman was taken off flying duties due to injuries sustained in Pakistan after ejecting from his MiG-21 Bison fighter jet during a fight with Pakistan on February 27, 2019
Vir Chakra is an Indian gallantry award presented for acts of bravery on the battlefield. It is third in precedence in the war time gallantry awards and comes after the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.
