Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the hero of Balakotair-strike, who shot down an F-16 during Balakot air-strike, has been promoted tothe rank of Group Captain by the Indian Air Force on Wednesday.
Abhinandan is said to be the only Mig-21 pilot ever tohave shot down an F-16. He was earlier awarded the Shaurya Chakra for his braveryduring the 2019 February air strike on terrorist camps in Pakistan.
He shot down the F-16 over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, andwas later held captive by Pakistan army after his plane was shot down.
The whole of India prayed for Abhinandan then, and evenhe maintained his composure and didn’t surrender in front of the enemy forces.
Abhinandan was part of the Srinagar-based 51 squadron andhis unit received a citation for its role in thwarting the Pakistan Air Force’saerial attack on February 27, 2019.
India had carried out the strikes in response to aJaish-e-Mohammed attack on a CRPF convoy.