Captured in Pakistan for 60 hours, shot down F-16: Who is Group Captain Abhinandan who quit IAF
People familiar with the matter told HT that the fighter pilot left the IAF on March 31 and later joined Fly91, a regional carrier.
Former Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman has recently been in the spotlight after reportedly joining a private airline, FLY91, as a pilot. Born from a 27 February 2019 Pakistan-India aerial standoff, Varthaman became a national hero for his role in downing a much more advanced American-made F-16 with his Soviet-era MiG-21 Bison.
The fierce dogfight occurred when a large Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft breached the Line of Control, prompting Varthaman to scramble and intercept the aircraft. Remarkably, he executed the first-ever kill of an F-16 by a MiG-21 Bison using an R-73 air-to-air missile. Following this incredible feat, his signature heavy handlebar moustache became a national trend, dubbed the "Abhinandan Cut."
This style led to men flocking to barbershops to emulate the look as a tribute to his bravery. Brands like Amul and Pizza Hut also paid tribute to Varthaman by featuring his moustache silhouette in their advertisements. After his successful ejection from the MiG-21 Bison, Varthaman was captured by Pakistani forces after landing in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
He was held captive for nearly 60 hours before being released on 1 March 2019 as a peace gesture. In recognition of his exceptional gallantry, Varthaman was honoured with the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry award.
Written by urgent.news from Live Mint's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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