IAF commander who shot down Pak jet after Balakot strikes joins private airline
Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, known for his role in the 2019 Balakot air strikes, has joined the regional airline FLY91 as a pilot. This transition marks his move from military service to the commercial aviation sector.
Why it matters
The career shift of a high-profile military figure highlights the transition of specialized aviation skills from defense to the private sector.
Former Indian Air Force Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot.Varthaman, who became widely known after shooting down a Pakistani fighter during an aerial engagement in 2019 before being captured by Pakistan, joined the airline in August.His move to commercial aviation comes after a distinguished career in the IAF, including his role in the aerial combat that followed India's Balakot air strikes.On February 26, 2019, the IAF carried out an air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed facility in Balakot, Pakistan, days after a terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama killed 40 personnel.The following day, Pakistani fighter jets attempted to launch an…
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in