IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is the first combat pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) to shoot down an F-16. In order to attain this feat, he was piloting the first MiG-21. Varthaman was the part of an IAF group that, through well-timed interference, revolted a Pakistani air raid into the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir on Wednesday.
‘Abhinandan Varthaman is first IAF pilot to down an F-16’: Air Chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy
In that procedure, the IAF defenders also be able to to abolish a valued air asset of Pakistan, an F-16, probably a two-seater that is hard to exchange. According to the sources of media the pilot of the F-16 was killed, if the information turns out to be true then that would be a great loss to the Pakistan Air Force.
On his welcoming, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, “Welcome Home Wing Commander Abhinandan! The nation is proud of your exemplary courage. Our armed forces are an inspiration for 130 crore Indians. Vande Mataram!”
Even though, the MiG-21 Bison is the most advanced variation of the aircraft but it is not a match compared to the F-16 which is designed as an ‘”Air Superiority Fighter.”
For several years, the IAF has been assigning its worry to the government about the reducing strength of its combat regiments. It had proposed an critical need for 100 combat aircraft, the acquirement of which is however to be sanctioned.
IAF’s SU-30 MKIs are two decades old and have need of critical upgrading. Unfortunately, an intricate attainment procedure and politicization of every purchase has delayed the government from taking a solid decision. It’s the high time for the government an even non- ruling parties to think strong as one for the security of the country and to take better actions.
In the meantime, the nation is celebrating the homecoming of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to India on Friday after about 60 hours in Pakistan custody.
Arun Jaitley also welcomed him on his homecoming by tweeting, “India’s happiness on return of Wing Commander Abhinandan is unprecedented. I salute the courage and resilience of Wg Commander Abhinandan.”
President Ram Nath Kovind also took to Twitter to welcome the pilot back, he tweeted, “India is proud of your courage and sense of duty, and above all your dignity. Wishing you and our entire Air Force every success in the future”.
The IAF pilot missing was part of the Combat Air Patrol (CAP) that involved the intruding of Pakistani armed forces when Pakistan hurled an air attack in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan strike element included 12 fighters- Four Mirages, Four F-16 and Four JF-17 fighters.
In the course of the in-flight combat in the middle of the air forces of India and Pakistan on Wednesday morning and during the process the IAF pilot was hit but somehow managed to eject but had landed on the other side of the Line of Control. He was captured by Pakistan forces for about 60 hours and was released on March 1.
Also, Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is going to receive Bhagwan Mahavir Ahimsa Puraskar. He is going to be the first receiver of the ‘Bhagwan Mahavir Ahimsa Puraskar’. The award is being introduced by the Akhil Bharatiya Digambar Jain Mahasamiti.
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