Vir Chakra for Wg Cdr Abhinandan

New Delhi: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed an enemy jet during an aerial combat with Pakistan in February and was held captive for three days, has been conferred the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest war time gallantry medal.

The Defence Ministry announced the military awards on the eve of Independence Day. From the Army, Sapper Prakash Jadhav of the Rashtriya Rifles will be posthumously awarded Kirti Chakra, the second highest peacetime gallantry award. Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal, who played a key role during the aerial combat between India and Pakistan on February 27,



has been awarded Yudh Seva medal.

The IAF received a total of 13 awards including five Yudh Seva Medals and seven Vayu Sena Medal. At least five Mirage fighter pilots, who were part of the operation to strike a Jaish-e-Mohmamed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan’s Balakot on February 27, were among the awardees. The Army got eight Shaurya Chakra awards and 98 Sena medals. The Navy got one Shaurya Chakra award. “We are very happy that Wing Comm Varthaman has been conferred with Vir Chakra,” said an IAF official.