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India to Award Top Military Honour to Fighter Pilot Involved in Recent Aerial Dogfight

© AFP 2023 / SAM PANTHAKYIndian students pray for a speedy release of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, in a school in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2019
Indian students pray for a speedy release of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, in a school in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2019 - Sputnik International
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New Delhi (Sputnik): Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive by Pakistan after his aircraft was shot down in an aerial dogfight will be awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry, defence sources confirmed on Tuesday.

The fighter pilot was in the heat of a dogfight that took place on 27 February when Pakistani aeroplanes reportedly crossed into Indian airspace. He allegedly shot down his rival's F-16 fighter before his own Soviet-made MiG-21 Bison supersonic jet fighter was shot down and crashed into Pakistani territory. He was captured by Pakistani forces and later released after 60 hours of detention.

New Delhi secured his release after two days of detention by the Pakistani Army. 

The 27 February dogfight was a buildup from the 14 February Pulwama terror attack allegedly carried out by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in which more than 40 Indian soldiers died. India responded with airstrikes against alleged JeM terror camps on Pakistani soil on 26 February. Pakistan's Air Force retaliated with its own airstrike during which the dogfight involving Wing Commander Abhinandan took place.

India honours the valour of its troops by decorating them with gallantry awards for exceptional bravery and courage. Post-independence, three gallantry awards were instituted by the government – Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra and Vir Chakra with several other awards later instituted.

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