Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
India

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to be conferred Vir Chakra

Darpan News Desk IANS, 14 Aug, 2019 08:21 PM

    The five IAF pilots who bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Pakistan were on Wednesday named for Vayu Sena medals and Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 but was taken prisoner, was picked for Vir Chakra on the eve of India's Independence day.


    Abhinandan, from the Indian Air Force, brought down the F-16 near the Line of Control (LoC) during a dogfight in February, resulting in his capture and later release by Islamabad.


    Along with Abhinandan, pilots of the five Mirage-2000 fighter jets who bombed the JeM terror launch pad in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunhkwa province were named for Vayu Sena medals.


    The pre-dawn covert operation of February 26 was to avenge a suicide bombing in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14 which killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel and which was claimed by the Pakistan-based JeM.


    Abhinandan, with his trademark handlebar moustache, acquired cult status in India ever since he was captured by Pakistani forces after his own MiG-21 Bison was shot down by a missile.


    Abhinandan strayed into Pakistani territory after shooting down the F-16. He was released by Pakistan around 60 hours later at the Wagah border.


    The Vir Chakra is the third highest wartime military award in India.


    President Ram Nath Kovind approved a total of 132 gallantry awards and other decorations to personnel from the armed and paramilitary forces and 8 Tatrakshak medals to Coast Guard personnel.


    The Kirti Chakra, the third highest military honour awarded during peacetime, will be conferred posthmously on Thursday to soldier Prakash Jadhav who died in a gunfight with terrorists in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir in November 2018.

     

    MORE India ARTICLES

    UN leaders praise India's leadership in driving South-South cooperation

    Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that through this initiative India "is championing greater prosperity and opportunity for all".

    UN leaders praise India's leadership in driving South-South cooperation

    Visit to Maldives, Sri Lanka will strengthen ties: Modi

    Visit to Maldives, Sri Lanka will strengthen ties: Modi
    The Prime Minister said he will meet President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the Maldives and the top Sri Lankan leadership in Colombo.

    Visit to Maldives, Sri Lanka will strengthen ties: Modi

    Alert in 8 Karnataka districts against Nipah virus

    The virus is an emerging infectious disease of public health importance in the South-East Asia region. 

    Alert in 8 Karnataka districts against Nipah virus

    CM pledges to make Punjab healthiest in India

    Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh pledged to make the state's healthiest in India by providing pollution free air and water.

    CM pledges to make Punjab healthiest in India

    Ganga will be cleaned in two years: Minister

    Shekhawat said the government's efforts alone would not be enough and sought people's participation for the rejuvenation and conservation of the Ganga.

    Ganga will be cleaned in two years: Minister

    Rs 500-crore zoo to come up in Mumbai

    The zoo will have a host of unseen wild animals, trails and jungle safaris, nature education centre, a separate breeding centre and other facilities 

    Rs 500-crore zoo to come up in Mumbai