After India's massive push, through international pressure and citing Geneva convention rules, Pakistan released Wing Commander on March 1 through Attari-Wagah border around 9:20 pm.
Amid India-Pakistan tension which escalated after the Pulwama attack, one name which the entire nation is extremely thankful and proud of is Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. The Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot had shot down Pakistan's F-16 when Pakistani Air Force (PAF) was targeting military establishments in India after Indian air strikes in Balakot, Pakistan. However, in the aerial ambush, Abhinandan's fighter jet MiG-21 Bison also crashed and his parachute landed him in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). He was then captured by Pakistani forces on February 27.
After India's massive push, through international pressure and citing Geneva convention rules, Pakistan released Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on March 1 via Attari-Wagah border around 9:20 pm.
India's decision to carry out air strikes in Balakot, Pakistan was in retaliation to the Pulwama attack where 40 CRPF personnel were martyred after a suicide bomber targeted Indian paramilitary convoy which was on its way to Kashmir. Terrorist Masood Azhar led outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had taken the responsibility for the attack.
India's action in Balakot was a pre-emptive reaction against the terror outfit which was planning further attacks in the country. India on February 26 bombed the biggest JeM terror training Centre where a large number of terrorists, trainers were eliminated.
Following India's action, Pakistan retaliated and tried to target Indian military establishments on February 27 and lost its F-16 while India's Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured by Pakistani Army.
1. Abhinandan's minute-by-minute combat account when he shot down Pak's F-16
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DNA learnt that the brave heart Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman had the option to return to his base but he went ahead full throttle risking his life to bring down Pakistan's fighter jet F-16. A detailed 16-minute account of the dogfight from highly placed sources:
Two IAF pilots, Abhinandan Varthaman, who was flying MiG-21 Bison and another officer who was flying Sukhoi 30MKI, engaged one of the ten F-16s that violated Indian air space on Wednesday morning. While nine falcons were forced to deviate path after a valiant fight from Indian jets, one F-16 went deep inside Indian territory. Abhinandan's in his MiG-21 Bison and Sukhoi MKI flown by another pilot engaged with F16 in a dog fight manoeuvre called 'defensive split'. In this scenario, MiG 21 was in the front, then F16 and then the Sukhoi. Due to firing from the Sukhoi, the F16 fled the scene using another dog fight manoeuvre called the 'wingover'.
Abhinandan while chasing the F-16, engaged in a lock-in position for his onboard R-73 air to air missile to be deployed, an act of extreme valour by Wing Commander Abhinandan.
Abhinandan had the option to return to his base and if he had, then the missile lock-in would have been disengaged (due to out of radar coverage) and he would not have been able to shoot the enemy jet." But, he, decided to chase it down to PoK, and bring it down.
Here's is a minute-by-minute combat account. The details also expose Pak claims that it did not use Falcons:
2. Abhinandan Varthaman met Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman after he returned from Pak's captivity
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Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, after he returned from Pakistan, was taken to Army Hospital in New Delhi where he went through a proper medical check-up. He met Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other Indian officials. During his close to 60-hour stay in Pakistan, he was mentally and physically tortured by Pakistani interrogators.
Reports say that Wing Commander was forced to share vital and confidential information regarding Indian armed forces, about high-security radio frequencies used by the security forces. Abhinandan Varthaman was not allowed to rest and forced to stand for long hours. (Photo: PTI)
3. Abhinandan's at Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019 after Pakistan released him
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Indian Air Force IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman released by Pakistan authorities at Wagah border on the Pakistani side. A sea of people had gathered at the Wagah border to welcome the brave pilot, who had shot down Pakistan's F-16 during the dogfight with Pakistani Air Force. (Photo: PTI)
4. Abhinandan Varthaman arrives at Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019
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Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman arrives at Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019. He was captured by Pakistani Army after his parachute landed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) during an aerial ambush with Pakistan Air Force which tried to target Indian military establishments on February 27. Abhinandan chased one of the 10 Pak's F-16 and shot down one, however, his fighter jet Mig-21 Bison was also damaged and forcing him to eject from it. (Photo: PTI)
5. Wants to return to cockpit as soon as possible, says Abhinandan
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India's hero Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who health is being monitored at Army's Research and Referral hospital, has shared his desire that he wants to return to the cockpit as soon as possible, officials have said. Wing Commander told his senior officers that he wants to start flying at the earliest. However, a decision is yet to be taken on his return to the cockpit. (Photo: Reuters)
