Abhinandan Varthaman

Thursday, Apr 18, 2024 | Last Update : 03:02 PM IST

War hero Abhinandan Varthaman accorded with Vir Chakra

Abhinandan was part of the Srinagar-based 51 squadron and had flown to thwart an aerial attack launched by the Pakistanis on Feb 27, 2019

22 Nov 2021 12:22 PM

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Sardar Ayaz Sadiq. (Twitter/@AbdulRe81179573)

Pak leader likely to be booked for treason over Abhinandan remarks

Posters of Sadiq have also appeared in Lahore, dubbing him a 'traitor'

01 Nov 2020 9:18 PM

Founded in 2009, the cafe annually pays its respect to popular personalities in the form of life-sized, hand-crafted chocolate statues. (Photo: ANI)

Puducherry cafe makes 321 kg chocolate statue in honour of Abhinandan Varthaman

In the past, the cafe has made statues of Mahatma Gandhi, APJ Abdul Kalam, Charles Chaplin, Rajinikanth and MS Dhoni as well.

26 Dec 2019 9:11 AM

The photograph shared by Lodhi on the microblogging site also captured a mug placed behind on the left-hand side of the Abhinandan's mannequin which was flanked by a Pakistani soldier. (Photo: Twitter)

Pakistan stoops to new low with Varthaman's mannequin display at PAF museum

A Twitter post by Pakistan journalist and political commentator Anwar Lodhi showed a photo of the mannequin of the IAF braveheart.

11 Nov 2019 1:45 PM

During Pakistan's counter-attack on India in response to the Balakot airstrike, Abhinandan flew a MiG-21 Bison fighter into PoK. (Photo:File | ANI)

Abhinandan Vartaman's 51 squardon to get citation award for Balakot

The award is slated to be received by commanding officer Group Captain Satish Pawar on Oct 8.

06 Oct 2019 11:26 AM

Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman on Monday flew a joint sortie Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa in MiG-21 fighter. (Photo: Social Media)

Here are some reactions after Abhinandan Varthaman trims his gunslinger moustache

Videos and photos from Monday's flight of the MiG-21 however, showed that Varthaman had shaved off the moustache.

03 Sep 2019 3:04 PM

Abhinandan had been grounded due to ejection from his MiG-21 which had been shot down in aerial conflict with Pakistan Air Force F-16s. (Photo: ANI)

Watch: Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed Pak F16, flies with IAF chief

IAF chief Dhanoa also a MiG-21 pilot and had flown the planes during the 1999 Kargil war while commanding the 17 Squadron, during the war.

02 Sep 2019 1:39 PM

The officers have been found guilty of charges including negligence and not following correct procedures while shooting down the Mi-17 V5 chopper. (Photo: ANI)

IAF probe finds 5 officers guilty in Feb 27 Srinagar chopper crash

Six IAF personnel on board and a civilian on the ground had lost their lives in the crash.

23 Aug 2019 1:04 PM

At present, Varthaman is serving at an IAF base in Rajasthan. (Photo: File)

IAF pilot Abhinandan returns to cockpit after 6 months, starts flying MiG 21

Varthaman was conferred Vir Chakra, the coveted wartime gallantry medal, for downing the F-16 jet of Pakistan during the aerial combat.

22 Aug 2019 8:06 AM

Recounting the chain of events of the two operations, the officer said after conducting the Balakot airstrike successfully, the IAF was expecting retaliation by the enemy, which ultimately came. (Photo: File)

'Witnessed Abhinandan shooting down Pak's F-16 fighter jet,' says Squadron Leader

'I was the one who was providing him with the air situation picture. I saw the fading of F-16 blip from my screen,' Agarwal said.

16 Aug 2019 8:46 AM

Wing Commander Muhammad Nouman Ali, who downed an Indian Air Force jet piloted by Abhinandan Varthaman on February 27, would be conferred with Sitar-e-Jurat while Squadron Leader Hassan Mahmood Siddiqui would be awarded with Tamgha-e-Shujaat. (Photo: File)

Pakistan to give top military awards to two pilots for downing Indian jet

The investiture ceremony will be held on March 23 next year after Pakistan Day parade in the capital, Paistan Army said in a statement.

15 Aug 2019 10:59 AM

Abhinandan Varthaman to get Vir Chakra

The MiG-21 Bison piloted by Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman had chased and shot down a F-16 which fell into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on February 27.

15 Aug 2019 1:41 AM

Varthaman was part of the fighter fleet that was sent to counter a package of incoming Pakistan Air Force fighters comprising F-16s among others on February 27, 2019. (Photo: File)

IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman clears medical tests, fit to fly fighter jets again

IAF has recommended a gallantry award – Vir Chakra – the third-highest wartime gallantry award - for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

09 Aug 2019 9:17 AM

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 the aerial combat. (Photo: File)

Abhinandan Varthaman, Balakot pilots to be awarded with top military honours

Vir Chakra is India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, after the Param Vir Chakra and the Maha Vir Chakra.

08 Aug 2019 10:56 AM

Speaking to ANI, the policeman said instead of following the latest trends and copying 'fake heroes' like film stars, he chose to copy Abhinandan's style. (Photo: ANI)

Inspired by Abhinandan Varthaman, Bhopal-based cop sports gunslinger moustache

Kailash Pawar feels that sporting a gunslinger moustache like Abhinandan helps him feel more patriotic for the country.

13 Jul 2019 8:36 AM

After Varthaman's returned to India, his swashbuckling gunsliger moustache and equally suave hairstyle has become the new fad among men across the country. (Photo: ANI)

Abhinandan's moustache should be made national moustache: Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury

'Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman should be awarded and his moustache should be made national moustache,' Chowdhury said.

24 Jun 2019 4:45 PM

While the 30-second video (a spoof) released by Pakistan's Jazz TV features a man sporting Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s (who was held captive in Pakistan earlier this year) signature moustache, India's Star TV has been running an advertisement (apart from the Mauka Mauka ad) where an Indian supporter describes himself as Pakistan's “abbu” (father), referring to India’s domination over their rivals in the World Cup.

Humour gone wrong?

Describing the ads as ‘cringeworthy’, Sania tweeted, “Cringeworthy ads on both sides of the border.

14 Jun 2019 1:54 AM

He 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. (Photo: Screengrab)

ICC CWC'19: Spoof on Abhinadan Varthaman aired as promotinal video by Pakistani TV

The advertisers have recreated the video released by Pakistani military after IAF Wing Commander Abhinadan Varthaman was in captivity.

11 Jun 2019 4:10 PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Photo: Abhijit Mukherjee)

Time for rise of Modi the statesman

It invariably has diminishing returns, the subject targeted compensating by realigning with powers opposed to India.

25 May 2019 12:13 AM

Pakistan would have paid for harming IAF pilot: PM Modi

PM said Opposition parties had been asking for proof of the Pulwama and Balakot attacks “but they are silent now”.

22 Apr 2019 1:49 AM

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Syed Ata Hasnain