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.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

hahahha. he was released under Geneva Agreement

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.

 

[Sangram]

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

Two pilot ejected

 

[kumar]

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.

We lost mig21 vs f16. I will take it any day.

 

[shivkumar sinha]

all of those things are statement, pictures or audio or other reports. Any of those things can be easily faked. Only thing about this whole issue that is beyond any doubt is the fact that we lost a Mig21 plane, and our pilot got captured. Countries have habit of boasting about military acheivements. I am not blaming India or praising pakistan. When it comes to these things, I believe what I see. Decent Videos are good proof, and we ourself have acknowledged loss of a Mig21.

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 .

 

[kumar]

You can add as much sugar to a piece of turd. It will still smell like turd and taste like turd.

On Feb-27 2019, What what the world would see, is a captured Abhinandan.

The Pokis were able to capture Abhinandan and parade him to international media. Whereas we couldn't capture any pilot of theor F-16.
Call it sheer bad-luck but it is what it is.

Now, if he can avenge his misfortune by downing and help capturing another F-16 in the future, that would be something.

Yes sir as u say. We Indians were only able to shoot down one f16 vs mig21 lost. All the luck was on our side only because we don't train much unlike ur PAF. Thanks. And by the way, Pakis in front of the whole world returned our pilot. 😆 🤣 😂.

 

[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