IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to be conferred with Vir Chakra on I-Day
New Delhi, Aug 14 (IBNS): Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who had shot down Pakistan Air Force's F-16 fighter jet in a dogfight after the Pulwama terror attack, will be conferred with Vir Chakra on the country's 73rd Independence Day on Thursday.
Vir Chakra is the country's third highest wartime military award.
After Varthaman had shot down the F-16 fighter jet, his Mig-21 Bison was hit. He was also captured by Pakistan.
After almost three days, Varthaman was handed over to India as a "peace gesture" by the neighbouring country amid international pressure.
The dogfight took place when India had countered the February 14 Pulwama terror attack, which was carried out by Pakistan-based militant organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), with an airstrike.
After Varthaman had returned to India, he was shifted out of the Srinagar airbase owing to security concerns.
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