Wing Commander Abhinandnan Varthaman is likely to get Vir Chakra, for displaying his courageous composure and brave efforts in conducting Balakot strikes. Top Defense sources said that “Abinandan” is set to be conferred with India’s top military honor, Vir Chakra.
India carried on Balakot strike to curb the cross-border terrorism activities along the LOC border. The strike took place in the early morning of 26 February. The bombs were dropped near Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.
Five other pilots of Mirage-2000 fighter jets who were part of the Balakot operation on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror launch-pad in Balakot area in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province are said to be conferred with Vayu Sena medals.
A senior Indian Air officer, speaking to IANS, said “The final list of gallantry awardees will get the nod from President Ram Nath Kovind on August 14. Only after the list has been formally approved by the President can we disclose the names of awardees to the general public.”
After getting his plane shot down, Abhinandan was left in Pakistan territory on February 27. His aircraft, a MiG-21 Bison, took a hit by a missile which forced him to eject from the fighter jet, thus crashlanding him in Pakistan.
He was returned to India after three days. Video of him expressing calm content even in the hands of the enemy was circulated extensively on social media, that made him a “National hero”. He was appreciated all over the nation for his courage.
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