CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Abhinandan Who Downed Pakistani F-16 Leaves Air Force for Commercial Flying
New Delhi: Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force officer who shot down a Pakistani fighter aircraft during the 2019 India-Pakistan aerial confrontation, has retired from the Indian Air Force. He has now begun a new phase of his career in civil aviation. According to reports, Abhinandan has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot.
According to officials, Abhinandan Varthaman left the Indian Air Force on March 31, 2026. He later joined FLY91 as a pilot in August 2026. After a military career of about 22 years, the move is being seen as a new beginning in commercial aviation.
Abhinandan came into the spotlight on February 27, 2019, when an aerial confrontation took place between India and Pakistan a day after the Balakot airstrike. Flying a MiG-21 Bison, Abhinandan pursued a Pakistani fighter aircraft, and India claimed that he shot down an F-16. During the same aerial engagement, his aircraft also crashed and he had to eject by parachute into Pakistan-held territory.
After ejecting from the aircraft, Abhinandan was taken into custody by the Pakistani Army. He remained in Pakistan’s custody for nearly three days before being sent back to India. The incident made him a symbol of courage and military valour across the country.
For his courage and devotion to duty in the 2019 aerial engagement, Abhinandan Varthaman was awarded the Vir Chakra. It is India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award.
During his service in the Indian Air Force, he gained long experience on fighter aircraft. He is now associated with FLY91 in civil aviation. According to reports, he is completing the required training and regulatory process for ATR aircraft. After that, he may fly as a commercial pilot. Abhinandan Varthaman’s new innings is very different from his military career, but his identity will always remain linked to the historic 2019 aerial engagement and the Vir Chakra honour.
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