NEW DELHI: Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's 51 Squadron will be awarded unit citation by Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria for thwarting Pakistani aerial attack and shooting down their F-16 fighter aircraft on Feb 27, earlier this year.
The award is slated to be received by commanding officer Group Captain Satish Pawar on October 8.
During Pakistan's counter-attack on India in response to the Balakot airstrike, Abhinandan flew a MiG-21 Bison fighter into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Abhinandan was grounded due to ejection from his MiG-21 which was shot down in the aerial conflict with Pakistan Air Force F-16s.
Abhinandan was released by the Pakistan government after pressure was exerted by India and the international community. He was also conferred with the third-highest waRead More – Source
