Shashi Kumar Tiwari – Mumbai Uncensored, 26th February 2022
Today the world is talking about Russia and Ukraine. Three years back on this very day, it talked about India and Pakistan.
Today marks the 3rd Anniversary of the Balakot Airstrikes done by the Indian Air Force on the 26th of February in the year 2019. The strikes were carried out to avenge the dastardly attack by the terrorist organisation Jaish -E -Mohammad on a CRPF convoy that had resulted in 40 CRPF soldiers being K.I.A and attaining Veergati.
The Indian Air Force Mirage-2000 had bombed the JeM terrorist training camps in Balakot, PoK with Spice 2000 locked smart bombs. In reply to this, the Pakistani Air Force had sent in 24 Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighter Aircrafts to bomb the Indian Military installations and garrisons. Responding swiftly to this 2 IAF Su-30MKI, 2 Mirage -2000 and 8 Mig-21 Bison took off from the Avantipora IAF Base to chase the PAF Jets away.
While still in the aerial chase a Mig 21 Bison Fighter Aircraft of the IAF was hit by the PAF F-16 during a dogfight between both the aircraft. In a while, the whole of India knew the pilot. The Mig 21 Bison was flown by none other than our war hero- Abhinandan Varthaman.
He however continued the dogfight and shot down the Pakistani F-16 aircraft. After this duel, Wg Cdr Abhinandan’s aircraft crashed and he ejected safely out of it while para landing in the Village Horra of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
As soon as he was seen by an old PoK Villager, he asked the name of that place to which the villager responded by saying, “India”. Wg.Cdr. Abhinandan shouted out loud “JAI HIND” to which the villagers shouted back with pro-Pakistani Slogans. Wg Cdr Abhinandan dropped his pistol seeing the mob approaching him violently. He was later arrested by the Pakistani Army and several videos of him were released by the Pakistani Defence Handles, only to be taken down later on as it violated the Geneva Convention.
But no country could’ve been able to hold back an Indian officer of such valour. Wg Cdr Abhinandan was repatriated back to India on the 1st of March,2019 safely and respectfully after strong diplomatic pressure and indirect stern military action threat to Pakistan, from India.
Let’s look at the early life of Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman:
Abhinandan was born to Rtd. Air Marshal Simhakutty Varthaman and Shobha Varthaman, a doctor. He belongs to the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He did his schooling at Sainik School Amravathinagar.
He went on to join the 104th Course of NDA and passed out in 2003. He finally completed the 173rd Course from AFA, Dundigul and was commissioned as a Flying Officer in the Indian Air Force on 19th June 2004.
Earlier assigned in the SU -30Mki squadron he was later assigned to carry out flying operations with the Mig -21 Bison Fighter Aircraft.
Receiving India’s 3rd highest gallantry award:
The officer displayed conspicuous gallantry and absolute professionalism living up to the credo of the Indian Armed Forces by not letting out any vital information to the Pakistani Intelligence and Army Officials while undergoing the interrogation during his detention in Pakistan.
He had even chewed and gulped down the important IAF documents and maps he was carrying post-crash landing in PoK. He had faced the manhandling and the interrogation in the bravest possible manner. Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman was Awarded the Vir Chakra , India’s 3rd Highest Wartime Gallantry honour for his gallant actions and flying finesse in the line of duty, the way he had shot down a 4th Generation US-made F-16 with a 2nd Generation Mig 21 Bison was in itself astonishing and spoke for his gallant fighter flying. His flamboyance and patriotism were evident even though he was being interrogated in the territory of India’s biggest arch-rival, Pakistan.
He got promoted to the rank of Group Captain in Nov 2021 after completing 17 years of service in the Indian Air Force.
