Abhinandan, shot down by PAF in 2019, retires from IAF: report
Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive for three days after Pakistan shot down his MiG-21 fighter during Operation Swift Retort in February 2019, has retired from the force and joined a private airline as a commercial pilot, Indian broadcaster NDTV reported. According to the broadcaster, Abhinandan joined a Goa-based regional carrier FLY91, which began operations…
Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has retired from his service and joined a private airline as a commercial pilot, according to a report by Indian broadcaster NDTV. The former group captain and Vir Chakra awardee served in the Air Force for 22 years before being shot down by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) during Operation Swift Retort in February 2019.
Abhinandan was held captive for three days before being released and crossing over the Wagah Border to return to India. He was later awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest military honour, for his actions during the 2019 air battle. Abhinandan has not issued any statement regarding his retirement, and FLY91, the private airline he joined in August, has refused to release any personal information about its employees.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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