Independence Day: IAF Squadron leader Minty Agarwal who guided Wing Commander Abhinandan recalls mission. Details here

Wishing the nation on the 73rd Independence Day, Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal shared her experience from the airstrikes after Pulwama terror attack. Speaking to news agency ANI, she said that she was in two way communication with wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman in the February 26 as well as 27th airstrikes. Notably, she has been awarded Yudh Seva Medal. It was Sq Leaderdr Minty Agarwal who told Wing Commander Abinandan Varthaman to turn back on the day he was held hostage by the Pakistan armed forces. Agarwal recalls that communication system had been jammed by the Pakistan Air force and therefore the wing commander was unable to hear her instructions.

Squadron leader Agarwal said: From the time Wing Commander Abhinandan was airborne I was the one who was providing him with the air situation picture. The situation awareness was passed by me to him about the posture of enemy aircraft. I participated in both the missions on 26th February as well as on 27th February. Wing Commander Abhinandan was in two-way communication with me when he was on the air."

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National hero Abhinandan Varthaman to get Vir Chakra

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who spent some days in Pakistani custody after shooting down a modern Pakistani F16 jet after which his MiG-21 was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistan Air Force jets a day after the February 26 Balakot airstrike, will be conferred the Vir Chakra on Independence Day. 

An order from the President's office has revealed that the national hero will be receiving the honour from President Ram Nath Kovind for his act of bravery and gallantry on the battlefield while he was captured by the Pakistani Army after shooting down a Pakistani jet and crash landing inside Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) territory. 

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Display of valour and courage from the hero

In the high-altitude dogfight that ensued, flying a 1960s aircraft, Wing Commander Abhinandan used his close-combat R73 missile to shoot down a Pakistani F-16 - an unheard-of feat. He was released by Pakistan after 48 hours on March 1. While he was in Pakistan custody, he showed extreme courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances in the neighbouring country.  Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets during aerial combat. Before his jet was hit, he downed a more technologically advanced F-16 fighter of Pakistan. Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan. 

While announcing the decision to release Wing Commander, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had attempted to paint a 'good gesture' narrative despite the truth being that he had been left with no option because of the relentless and inexorable pressure screw India had applied on Pakistan across multiple dimensions, demanding the immediate release of its heroic pilot.

IAF fighter jets bombed a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26, nearly two weeks after the Pulwama strike. Pakistan retaliated on February 27 by attempting to target Indian military installations.

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