This Indian Air Force pilot was held captive by Pakistan in February 2019. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, now Group Captain, was awarded the Vir Chakra.
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01:00Wing Commander Abhinandan, on 27th February 2019, was stationed at the Air Force Station, Srinagar, on the Operational Readiness Platform.
01:09At 9.55 am, the Pakistani Air Force's fighter jets, armed with advanced weapons, were seen moving towards the control line,
01:17including the fourth generation F-16 and JF-17.
01:25At around 10 am, you were immediately given a message to stop the enemy's fighter jets.
01:31You did not care about personal safety and proceeded with complete indifference.
01:38While demonstrating extraordinary aeronautical intelligence and knowledge of the enemy's strategy,
01:44you inspected the airspace of low altitude with your Air Intercept Radar,
01:51and found that the enemy's aircraft was flying at low altitude to attack the Indian fighter interceptor aircraft.
02:02You alerted other pilots to the danger.
02:06At the Indian military base, you made a response strategy against the Pakistani Air Force, which was dropping weapons.
02:13This completely destroyed the enemy's fighter jets and turned them back.
02:19You followed the enemy's fighter jets and dropped an F-16 fighter jet.
02:27However, in this fierce battle, an enemy's BVR missile hit your aircraft and you had to be forced to enter the enemy's borders.
02:38Despite being imprisoned as a prisoner of war, you faced the enemy with full restraint, bravery and dignity.
02:47Until you were handed back on March 1, 2019, you maintained extraordinary determination.
02:55This increased the morale of all the armed forces and especially the Indian Air Force.