Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has has resumed flying operations, sources said. Abhinandan who spent days in Pakistan's custody after shooting down a modern Pakistani F16 jet. After an air skirmish with Pakistan Air Force jets a day after the February 26 Balakot airstrike, he was captured. His MiG-21 was shot down. On the eve of Independence day it was announced that he will be conferred the Vir Chakra. The officer has started flying after medical clearance, IAF officials said Friday. The officer is posted at a MiG-21 Bison airbase in the western desert.

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Abhinandan gets Vir Chakra

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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Here's the order from the President's office:

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Abhinandan's valour and courage against Pakistan

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. Days after he returned from Pakistan, Varthaman conveyed to IAF brass his wish to return to fighter cockpit at the earliest. 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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