The Unspoken Tale of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and 2019 Indo-Pak Air Skirmish

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force pilot who became a national hero in 2019 after shooting down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet, continues to be shrouded in a veil of silence regarding the details of his daring mission.

Abhinandan's story is one of valor and resilience. Following the downing of his MiG-21, he was captured in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). His swift return to India was hailed as a diplomatic victory, and he was awarded the Vir Chakra for his exceptional bravery.

However, since his return, there has been a conspicuous absence of public statements from Abhinandan about the events of that day. While he has resumed his duties as a fighter pilot and has been promoted to Group Captain, he has not been permitted to speak openly to the media. This stands in contrast to Squadron Leader Minty Aggarwal, the woman fighter controller who played a crucial role in the operation and has been able to share her experiences publicly.

The public's curiosity remains piqued, as they yearn to hear Abhinandan's firsthand account of the aerial engagement, his capture, and his subsequent return. His silence has led to speculation and a lack of complete understanding of the entire mission.

Several reasons could be attributed to the restrictions on Abhinandan's media interactions. These could include operational security concerns, the sensitive nature of the situation, or even personal preference. It is also possible that the government or the military have deemed it prudent to maintain a degree of discretion on this matter.

Whatever the reasons may be, Abhinandan's silence has not diminished his status as a national hero. His actions on that fateful day in 2019 are a testament to his courage, skill, and unwavering dedication to duty. It remains to be seen whether he will ever choose to share his story with the public. Until then, his legacy as a symbol of bravery and patriotism will endure.

 

[kumar]

Answer is simple, even though he is a hero, he was after all shot down and captured by the enemy. It was a humiliation for the IAF. No matter how you look at it.

If you use ancient aircraft like Mig21, suffering humiliation is natural

Any airforce would take f16 taken out by losing own mig21 anyday. Mig21s are anyway due for retirement.

 

[kumar]

Abhinandan is a brave pilot who went after f16s when they fired on our base. He took out f16 and tried to evade missile on his own aircraft single handedly. He is a hero for us.

 

[wallisk]

there has been no official report on what exactly happened in the engagement. There are versions of diferent people and countries etc. Lots of rumors are there. I am just basing my opinion on the single known fact, that is beyond any doubt, which is that 1 Mig21 was shot down in enemy territory, and our pilot got captured.

Yes, becoz Wing Cmndr. Abhi disobeyed direct orders and entered enemy airspace while chasing one F16 enemy jet..

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

Since when our western neighbour began to abide by any rules? Even UN designated terrorists used to roam there as honoured guests . Only fear of military strike got their tails straightened.

He's a kh@li-stani by his own admission. Don't pay any heeds what this religious nut says.

 

[Sandeep]

He is hero because of what he underwent in captivity. But the manner in which IAF lost one jet and it's pilot went PoW is big embarrassment for us. Losing 1 jet and PoW pilot made Balakot strike felt like nothing.

Some IAF veterans say, there is chance that pilot Abhinandan didn't obey command of his superiors not to cross into Pak Airspace.

How is it a humiliation that the pilot got caught? It’s even more embarrassing that he got caught and Pakistan had to release him the next day. That’s got to be a new record on the fastest prisoner exchange/release.

Anyone parachuting in enemy land risks getting captured. He only got captured because he landed near a Pakistani village and a large crowd gathered around him who were hostile and even with his gun he knew he would run out of bullets and there would still be a large amount of people who would kill him. He was stuck and had no choice but to surrender and survive.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Any airforce would take f16 taken out by losing own mig21 anyday. Mig21s are anyway due for retirement.

India said that we shot an F-16. Pakistan said that they didnt lose an F-16, but that they shot a mig21 and a sukhoi. We denied that a sukhoi was shot down. It is classic case of my word against yours.

We didnt capture a pakistani pilot and we didnt capture the wreckage of an F16. But pakistan did do both of those things.

I choose to believe what can be easily proven. You can believe what indian govt or IAF says, upto you.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Only truth emerged from that engagement is 1) legs of COAS were shaking in p@ ki parliament begging to release Abhinandan 2) Abhinandan released within 60 hours 3) p@ ki airspace closed for next five months from fear 4) no terrorist attacks in Indian hinterland since that engagement.
That was achievement of Indian armed forces ,not achieved by US who donated $ 33 billions but failed to extract their CIA chap Raymond Davis for years .

Those things you mentioned are true. I never said that we didnt gain anything by having this air combat with pakis.

I do believe that the air engagement itself was a terrible loss for india and humiliation for IAF. It should serve as a wake up call for IAF to immediately get rid of the ancient junk in its inventory.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Yes, becoz Wing Cmndr. Abhi disobeyed direct orders and entered enemy airspace while chasing one F16 enemy jet..

Who told you this? Did abhinandan tell you? Do you have sources high up in the IAF or MoD. This is just conjecture. And rumour. Only opinions. No facts

 

[Sandeep]

India said that we shot an F-16. Pakistan said that they didnt lose an F-16, but that they shot a mig21 and a sukhoi. We denied that a sukhoi was shot down. It is classic case of my word against yours.

We didnt capture a pakistani pilot and we didnt capture the wreckage of an F16. But pakistan did do both of those things.

I choose to believe what can be easily proven. You can believe what indian govt or IAF says, upto you.

Then your delusional to support the enemies version of events over our side.

We had released evidence such as the voice recording between Pakistan pilots and air traffic control who could clearly be heard that a jet that went on a sortie didn’t return back and was lost on radar. How much proof do you need? They also killed their own pilot by mistake and to hide that story they said we lost a Sukhoi jet even though all of ours are accounted for.

 

[Sandeep]

He is a hero but no F-16 was shoot down.

An F16 was clearly shot as evidence was released such as the communication between F16 jet and air traffic controller about one jet who went on a sortie didn’t return and it was shown on radar when the jet went down. You’re a traitor if you believe anything the pakis tell you.

 

[Sandeep]

hahahha. he was released under Geneva Agreement

No because just by signing something on paper doesn’t mean you will actually follow it. Pakistan also said on paper that they are combating terrorists but in reality they aren’t.

It was to Pakistan advantage to keep our pilot in their control and use him as a bargaining chip. They were forced to release him because India was ready to attack Pakistan at that stage and we offered them no alternative.

 

[Pardeep]

He's a kh@li-stani by his own admission. Don't pay any heeds what this religious nut says.

More than 10 person of my family served or serving armed forces. how much of urs?

 

[Baiju Bhaskaran]

He is a hero but no F-16 was shoot down.

It is true. After Mig 21 shot down an F16, USA was not able to sell even a single new F16 to any other country. Even those countries who have F16 are discarding them at junk price.

 

[Sandeep]

India scripted history when they used a 50yr old Mig 21 and killed a F16 that was more technologically advanced and capable. But our pilot did get captured.

What I’m shocked, surprised and sad over is that there are many users on this site who don’t believe what our own government and air force have been saying despite being backed by official proof. We hit their terror factories with precision targeting and satellite imagery showed the roof holes of our missile blowing them up from the inside. We also released the conversation between the Pakistani air force and air traffic controllers who clearly mentioned that a jet that went out on a sortie didn’t return home and lost on the radar.

People claim that just because our pilot got caught by Pakistan that it was embarrassing and a major loss to our image. This is absolute rubbish and nonsense because it was far embarrassing for Pakistan that they were tricked and allowed our jets to cross the border and hit the targets safely. They also lost a more advanced F16 jet by a 50 year old Mig 21 using an old missile. Finally they had to return our pilot by the next day after showing the people that they were victorious in the air battle but they were forced to return him back despite Pakistan having the advantage of using him as a bargaining chip.

India could only have achieved that with a strong government who was tough, firm, resolute and unwavering in our demands. We wanted our pilot back and we were successful but we also wanted to stop their constant and large terror attack in India which have been close to zero now which is another achievement.

 

[Dhiraj Malik]

He is a hero but no F-16 was shoot down.

So you think that pakistan will accept the humiliation and show the wreckage of their F16. Never ever

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

Then your delusional to support the enemies version of events over our side.

We had released evidence such as the voice recording between Pakistan pilots and air traffic control who could clearly be heard that a jet that went on a sortie didn’t return back and was lost on radar. How much proof do you need? They also killed their own pilot by mistake and to hide that story they said we lost a Sukhoi jet even though all of ours are accounted for.

I am not supporting anyone's version. I believe that I am an intelligent person, who is able to determine for himself what he wants to believe. Audio recording is not definitive evidence of anything. That is very easy to fake. Image are easy to fake. I can pay to make a recording of 2 guys talking about F16 going down, and then tell everyone, oh, these are pakistani ATC officials discussing the downing of an F16.

I believe in facts, that are rock solid, without any doubt. The only fact is that an Indian Mig21 went down over pakistani controlled territory and an indian pilot got captured. Nobody can refute this. Anythings else, I wont waste my time with. Because there is no way to be certain.

 

[wallisk]

Two pilot ejected

3 pilots ejected one MIG21 IAF pilot 2 from shot down PAF F16 trainer jet...

 

[Vijigishu ( विजिग्शु )]

More than 10 person of my family served or serving armed forces. how much of urs?

I too have family members serving in Army, Para military and institutions like Drdo and IB. But I don't flex that, doesn't serve any purpose. And for you, then it's even worse to have someone like you in the family.

 

[Bharat007]

How is it a humiliation that the pilot got caught? It’s even more embarrassing that he got caught and Pakistan had to release him the next day. That’s got to be a new record on the fastest prisoner exchange/release.

Anyone parachuting in enemy land risks getting captured. He only got captured because he landed near a Pakistani village and a large crowd gathered around him who were hostile and even with his gun he knew he would run out of bullets and there would still be a large amount of people who would kill him. He was stuck and had no choice but to surrender and survive.

Pak wanted to paint itself as innocent and India as aggressor infront of the world that's why as a goodwill gesture to deescalate they released Abhinandan. It is more of psy-op and propaganda act which they won.

Being the only PoW in this conflict it is the humiliation for India, because it gave Pak the upper hand, also in this melee our own missiles killed 7 IAF Airmen by downing their heli. If this is not the embarrassment then what else.

I am patriotic as much as you are but I choose to have different opinion. Unprepared and lack of good planning ruined this and cost lives of 7 Airmen and prestige of the nation.

 

[wallisk]

Who told you this? Did abhinandan tell you? Do you have sources high up in the IAF or MoD. This is just conjecture. And rumour. Only opinions. No facts

we are family friend of Mr. Varthaman uncle former IAF ACM and Father of Wing Cmndr. Abhinandan... He was angry on his son but was also very worried about ISI torturing him in captivity..

 

[Aayush Pratap]

The ispr fools dropped the ball when they got hyper excited and claimed the downing of multiple pilots. That's all the proof you need. It's going to keep coming back to haunt them. We all know who those other pilots belonged to except the ones that don't want to.

 

[Akshat]

He is a hero but no F-16 was shoot down.

If you wanna believe PAF instead of your own soldiers, that's your problem buddy.

 

[Akshat]

hahahha. he was released under Geneva Agreement

Geneva agreement doesn't guarantee release. It only guarantees humane treatment.

 

[Akshat]

No one outside india believes that he shot down F16. Pakistan also claims that it shot down our Su30MKI. Believe what is clearly visible. What is a fact is that in the engagement, We lost 1 mig21, and our pilot got captured. Rest is just claims and counter claims. You believe whatever you want to believe.

Actually many do. There were actual pieces in many newspapers, many podcasts etc. Including by many western analysts who even quoted Pakistani military. Most of them have in fact been removed by now.

 

[RajuB]

hahahha. he was released under Geneva Agreement

Really? When did bhikaristan start following Geneva convention? Did they follow it when they tortured Lt. Saurabh Kalia and his unit in Kargil.

Bhikari beginning of end is coming for your country.