Indian Air Force (IAF) airman Abhinandan Varthaman — who was captured by Pakistan in 2019 after his MiG 21 Bison aircraft was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) spurt and latterly returned to India — was awarded India’s third-loftiest gallantry order on Monday, original media reported.
According to The Indian Express, Abhinandan entered the Vir Chakra — the third-loftiest wartime gallantry award after Param Vir Chakra and Maha Chakra — from Indian President Ram Nath Kovind at an installment form in the capital. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were also present at the form.
According to the report, Abhinandan, who was later promoted from sect commander to group captain, was awarded the order for” showing conspicuous courage” while shooting down a Pakistani F-16 aircraft in February 2019 — a claim that has been rubbished by the Pakistan service, independent spectators as well as the transnational media.
According to the report by The Indian Express, the citation for the award stated”Wing Commander Abhinandan showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the adversary while disregarding particular safety and displayed an exceptional sense of duty.”
In addition, Abhinandan’s unit — 51 Squadron — also entered an award citation, according to India Today.
Replying to the reports, PPP Vice President Sherry Rehman twittered”Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani guardianship?#paralleluniverse”.
Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody ? #paralleluniverse https://t.co/2FWr8fNTa8
” Fantastic,” wrote Focal Person to the Prime Minister on Digital Media Arslan Khalid.” Actually, I feel for Abhinandan. Just because of@narendramodi and Indian media denial of the defeat and embarrassment they had ( back) also, poor Abhinandan is reminded of the occasion every alternate month.”
According to a BBC report from 2019, the officer — who’s the son of a decorated former airman — was first commissioned as a fighter airman in 2004.
Abhinandan was arrested on Feb 27, 2019, after his aircraft was shot down by the PAF upon violating Pakistani airspace.
https://twitter.com/arslankhalid_m/status/1462658889028190210
He was originally captured by locals in Azad Kashmir before being taken into guardianship by Pakistan Army help. Vids of his prisoner showed army dogfaces and officers intermediating strongly to save him from a crowd of angry citizens.
A wide sampling of the Pakistani populace had latterly called for him to be treated with respect and quality.
Famously, a videotape released by the ISPR had shown the officer conversing with military officers in a unanimous terrain and admitting that he’d been treated well.
“I’d like to put this on record; I’ll not change my statement indeed when I go back to my country. The officers of the Pakistan Army have looked after me veritably well, “Abhinandan had conceded in the videotape.
He was latterly handed over in a gesture of peace to India at the Wagah border on March 1, 2019.
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