NEW DELHI: Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, one of the most widely recognised Indian fighter pilots of the 2019 India-Pakistan military confrontation, has completed his tenure with the Indian Air Force and moved into commercial aviation. He joined regional carrier Fly91 after leaving the IAF on March 31.
Abhinandan’s departure from the IAF brings an end to his military flying career after more than a decade of service. He has now joined Fly91, an Indian regional airline. Pakistani military aircraft subsequently approached the Line of Control, prompting Indian fighters to respond. Abhinandan was among the Indian pilots sent into the air to respond to the approaching Pakistani formation. The engagement came at considerable risk. With the aircraft no longer capable of remaining safely airborne, he ejected and came down in territory controlled by Pakistan. Following his ejection, Abhinandan was taken into Pakistani custody. His detention became a major focus of international attention as tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours remained high. His return was widely followed across the country and became one of the defining moments of the crisis. Abhinandan was subsequently honoured with the Vir Chakra for his actions during the aerial confrontation. The award is India’s third-highest wartime gallantry decoration, following the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra. It recognised his conduct during the engagement and noted that he continued operating against the opposing aircraft despite facing a significant disadvantage. His subsequent return from captivity and receipt of the Vir Chakra further cemented his public profile. With his departure from the IAF and move to Fly91, Abhinandan now begins a different phase of his professional life. His transition from military aviation to the commercial airline sector marks a notable change after a career defined by frontline fighter operations.
He was a Wing Commander when he became internationally known following the aerial confrontation in February 2019 and was later promoted to Group Captain. The incident that made Abhinandan a household name occurred on February 27, 2019, amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The confrontation followed an Indian air operation against a target near Balakot, carried out after the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. At the time, Abhinandan was operating with a unit equipped with the MiG-21 Bison and was stationed at Air Force Station Srinagar. During the engagement, he went after a Pakistani aircraft and launched an attack that, according to India’s official account, resulted in the destruction of an F-16. Abhinandan’s own MiG-21 was subsequently struck by a missile. Pakistan released him on March 1, 2019, and he returned to India after spending roughly 60 hours in custody. The official award citation was published in the Gazette of India in December 2019. The February 2019 encounter established Abhinandan as one of the most recognisable names associated with India’s recent military aviation history.
