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Fighter Pilot Abhinandan Who Crashed in Pakistan, Shot Down F-16 Quits Indian Air Force, Joins Private Airline
The decorated former fighter pilot joined the Goa-based airline in August, marking a civilian aviation move after his 2019 dogfight and capture.
- Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, according to sources who told PTI he began his role in August.
- FLY91 launched commercial flight operations in March 2024 and currently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft from bases in Goa and Hyderabad, focusing on regional air connectivity.
- Varthaman gained national prominence during the 2019 India-Pakistan military confrontation when he shot down an enemy aircraft before his MiG-21 Bison was struck, forcing him to eject into Pakistani territory.
- The Indian government awarded Varthaman the Vir Chakra in 2021, the nation's third-highest wartime gallantry medal, for displaying an "exceptional sense of duty" during the aerial engagement.
- A FLY91 spokesperson declined to comment on the appointment, citing the private nature of employee information; details about his specific responsibilities remain undisclosed.
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Abhinandan Varthaman shot down an enemy F-16 jet during a dogfight with Pakistan in 2019. He subsequently landed. Pakistan held him hostage for three days.
·India
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Fighter Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Who Shot Down Pakistani F-16, Retires From IAF, Joins Private Airline
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who became widely known after shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during an aerial engagement over the Line of Control (LoC) in 2019, has taken premature retirement from Indian Air Force (IAF) and joined private regional airline Fly91,
·India
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Fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed Pak jet, retires from IAF, joins airline
Former IAF Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based airline FLY91 as a pilot, sources said. The move follows the Vir Chakra awardee's retirement in March after his widely noted 2019 aerial combat role.
·Noida, India
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Total News Sources55
Leaning Left3Leaning Right11Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution61% Right
Bias Distribution
- 61% of the sources lean Right
61% Right
L 17%
C 22%
R 61%
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