Abhinandan Varthaman
Abhinandan Varthaman | |
|---|---|
Varthaman in September 2018 | |
| Born | 21 June 1983 Tamil Nadu, India |
| Allegiance | India |
| Branch | Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 2004–present |
| Rank | Group Captain |
| Service number | 27981 |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Vir Chakra |
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman VrC (born 21 June 1983) is an Indian Air Force officer and a fighter pilot, who flew MiG-21 Bison, and was on 27 February 2019 was captured by the Pakistan Army when his plane was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force and he landed inside the Pakistani territory, 7 km (4.3 miles) from the Line of Control. During this engagement, he is also credited to have shot down a F-16. He was repatriated back on 1 March 2019.