New Delhi:
Indian Air Drive (IAF) fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive for 3 days in Pakistan after his plane was shot down in an air duel with a Pakistan Air Drive jet in February 2019, has taken untimely retirement from the Air Drive to start his new aviation profession with a non-public airline as a industrial pilot.
The previous Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee, who served within the Air Drive for 22 years, has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, information company PTI reported, quoting sources.
The report claimed that Varthaman joined the non-public airline in August.
To date, Varthaman has not issued any assertion on the matter. A FLY91 spokesperson additionally refused to launch any private details about workers, saying it’s a non-public matter.
FLY91, which began flying in March 2024, presently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 plane. The airline’s two bases are Goa and Hyderabad.
About Abhinandan Varthaman
In February 2019, Indian forces launched air strikes towards terrorists in Pakistani territory after a suicide bombing in Pulwama killed 40 Central Reserve Police Drive (CRPF) personnel. New Delhi stated strikes focused a coaching camp of the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group in Balakot.
The Pakistani Air Drive’s subsequent retaliation the subsequent day triggered fears of a struggle between the 2 nuclear-armed neighbours.
Probably the most seen face of the confrontation was Wing Commander Varthaman, whose seize by Pakistan after downing his MiG-21 fighter triggered essentially the most severe navy disaster between the 2 neighbours in a long time.
Earlier than his jet was hit on February 27, 2019, Varthaman downed the F-16 fighter of Pakistan. A wing commander on the time, Varthaman was held captive for 3 days and was launched on the evening of March 1 by Pakistan.
He had suffered accidents whereas ejecting from his MiG-21 Bison throughout the aerial fight.
Later that yr, he was conferred the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry medal, for displaying an “distinctive sense of responsibility” throughout the dogfight, in response to the award quotation.
