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.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

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.

No other country acknowledged that an F16 got destroyed. Most important being america

 

[Sandeep]

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.

No you’re factually wrong. The entire world knew that Pakistan brought this attack on itself because of its support to terrorists and India wouldn’t have acted without provocation.

Also why would Pakistan want to deescalate tensions for an attack they carried out and started? They had no choice because India threatened them with war and to fire ballistic missiles against them. They did not think India would respond this way because previously our response was weak. Once they found out and we threatened them with war their own army chief and military officers returned the pilot to deescalate tensions as they were not prepared for any major military attack.

The fact that the pilot got caught isn’t an embarrassment. He at least survived whereas their pilot is dead. We got our pilot back the next day so how does Pakistan have the upper hand? A country forced to hand over a pilot the next day should be humiliated for succumbing to our request so quickly which showed you how weak and desperate they really were. Otherwise if they really had the upper hand they wouldn’t give him back to us.

The bad news was that we shot our helicopter down because the pilot didn’t turn his IFF on. So they launched a missile because they thought it was a helicopter who was attacking them at the same time we’re dealing with the battle with our jets in the sky.

 

[Sandeep]

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.

You are supporting the enemy because you don’t support your own military or country.

We intercepted their communications with the radio and equipment which was played back from the same equipment that was used to intercept their messages so that is definite proof. Also we showed the satellite image of before the attack and after the attack. The images after showed buildings with clear holes on the top and exploded inside. Also many people around the world looked at their own satellite imagery which showed the same which proves it isn’t a fake image.

Also after the attack Pakistan army closed the entire area off including media companies who wanted to see proof of the attack. The army closed the area because they wanted to remove the dead and didn’t want anyone to see the large number of bodies. They only allowed people to visit the buildings and area over a month after the attack because they wanted to repair the buildings. If there was no damage then why did they seal off the area and stopped any media company from seeing?

 

[kumar]

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.

That fight happened in pojk and u are expecting we launch a special forces operation just to retrieve the debris and prove our point to non believers. How dumb is that.
We showed radar picture of f16 being shot down. What more needs to be done. Even p@kis themselves, initially announced of doosra bandha. But apparently ignorance is bliss nowadays.

 

[Balaji Krishna]

His and IAF silence is based on request from US that a bison shot an F16. All the hardware in his plane was Russian and it shot a much modern F16. Skill of pilots involved also plays a lot in a dog fight.

 

[kumar]

It is, call Pokis Pu$$y or lafandus. We can celebrate Indian diplomacy because at the end, it achieved something which was unherd of in the subcontinent.
But proclaiming Abhinandan a hero?
That would be as ridiculous as Rawool baba's sychopanths' recent celebration of victory.

U think diplomacy works against p@kis. That is news to me. By this logic, our border problems would have been solved by now, or atleast cross border terrorism would have stopped. 😆 🤣 😂.

 

[charminar_waale_ismail_bhai]

U think diplomacy works against p@kis. That is news to me. By this logic, our border problems would have been solved by now, or atleast cross border terrorism would have stopped. 😆 🤣 😂.

Depends on what is your definition of "Diplomacy".

 

[kumar]

Depends on what is your definition of "Diplomacy".

Now, now, let's not venture into the territory of "MILORDS". Let us all be sensible and avoid h@rakiri by wordplay. Lol.🤣🤣🤣🤣.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

That fight happened in pojk and u are expecting we launch a special forces operation just to retrieve the debris and prove our point to non believers. How dumb is that.
We showed radar picture of f16 being shot down. What more needs to be done. Even p@kis themselves, initially announced of doosra bandha. But apparently ignorance is bliss nowadays.

Dude, i never said that. You are putting words in my mouth. I just said that I dont believe anything related to military accomplishment or debacle unless I see facts and evidence.

The incentive to lie and make up stuff is too great when it comes to these things. And both sides lie and trie to hide stuff.

 

[Akshat]

No other country acknowledged that an F16 got destroyed. Most important being america

How many countries said anything beyond India, Pak and US? Pak claimed it shot down a Su30MKI. India paraded the said plane with the same tail number. Pak on the other hand said that the plane was lost a month later in an accident.

Oh and by the way, Russia did say that India shot down the plane. So that's 2 vs 2.

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

How many countries said anything beyond India, Pak and US? Pak claimed it shot down a Su30MKI. India paraded the said plane with the same tail number. Pak on the other hand said that the plane was lost a month later in an accident.

Oh and by the way, Russia did say that India shot down the plane. So that's 2 vs 2.

lol, how did russia find out? I mentioned america because america had supplied F16 to Pakis and would know if one was destroyed. Also, they have largest spy and intel collection network in the world and longstanding connection with pakis military establishment.

 

[Akshat]

lol, how did russia find out? I mentioned america because america had supplied F16 to Pakis and would know if one was destroyed. Also, they have largest spy and intel collection network in the world and longstanding connection with pakis military establishment.

And why would America acknowledge it? Russia has a reason to acknowledge, US doesn't. India does, Pak doesn't. And if that is the criteria, then how would anyone, other than Pak and US would find out? And neither of those would acknowledge. So the whole discussion becomes moot, doesn't it?

 

[BCharlie]

hahahha. he was released under Geneva Agreement

Sir, not so.. as Geneva Convention is applicable to those signatory countries who are at War & all the hostilities are ceased & under the peace terms, POWs on both sides are exchanged. There was no war or any war conditions between Pakistan & India.. and as such Abhinandan was not a POW. He was honorably released by Pak PM Imran Khan & handed over to us at Wagah Border.

 

[Bhishma]

hahahha. he was released under Geneva Agreement

No as per Geneva convention, Pakistan has the right to subject POW under trial as per Pakistani rules. They are obligated to release only after the conflict is over, not during an active conflict. In this case, the triservices chief threatened Pakistan with war, which means it is active conflict. So Pakistan chickened out and released.

Google search for "geneva convention laws for captured soldiers" and click the first link. Its clearly explained under Arts 82,84,109,110,118

 

[kumar]

Dude, i never said that. You are putting words in my mouth. I just said that I dont believe anything related to military accomplishment or debacle unless I see facts and evidence.

The incentive to lie and make up stuff is too great when it comes to these things. And both sides lie and trie to hide stuff.

And I have explained to u, the extent it is possible to explain including what our nieghbour gave press conference on. What more can be done.

 

[Hari Sud]

Abhinandan made IAF extremely proud when he shot down advanced 4 th generation F-16 from 50 years old 2nd generation Mig-21. FYI ,in 2019 , PLAAF had about 600 fighters of 2nd generation like J-6 ,J-7 out of about 1400 total fighters in their inventory . You can't compare with airforces of US or European countries .

Pakistani F-16 is 48 years old.

 

[Hari Sud]

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.

Pakistani manufacture lies. They have a mastery of it even if they lost 1965, 1971 and 1999 war.

 

[Hita Techi]

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.

Most F-16 users are upgrading their F-16s ti Block 52/60/70 standards, Romania bought 32 in 2019 and are planning to by 32 more, Taiwan bought 66 in 2019.