Fighter pilot Abhinandan who crashed in Pakistan and shot down F-16 quits Indian Air Force, joins private airline | India News
hindustantimes.com/india-news/fighter-pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-who-crashed-in-pakistan-shot-down-f-16-quits-iaf-joins-private-airline-101788396217857.html
Photo: hindustantimes.com · view article
Officials: Abhinandan Varthaman left IAF, joined Fly91Officials familiar with the matter said the Group Captain left the Indian Air Force on March 31 and later joined regional carrier Fly91.
Key FactsSep 3, 2026 · Reading time: ~30 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: hindustantimes.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: hindustantimes.com
- He received the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a dogfight on February 27, 2019.
- After ejecting, he was captured; Pakistan returned him to India on March 1, 2019, after nearly 60 hours.
- The Vir Chakra citation, published in December 2019, said his manoeuvres forced enemy aircraft into tactical chaos.
- Officials familiar with the matter said he left the Indian Air Force on March 31 and later joined regional carrier Fly91.
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Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down Pak fighter jet retires, takes up private job
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2019 hero Abhinandan Varthaman quits IAF, joins private airline years after shooting down Pakistan F-16 fi
india.com/news/india/2019-hero-group-captain-abhinandan-varthaman-quits-iaf-joins-private-airline-fly91-as-pilot-years-after-shooting-down-pakistan-f-16-fighter-jet-8515657/
Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Who Shot Down Pak Jet, Retires From IAF And Joins Goa Airline: Report
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Former Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman joins regional airline FLY91 as pilot
thehindu.com/news/national/former-indian-air-force-group-captain-abhinandan-varthaman-joins-regional-airline-fly91-as-pilot/article71422187.ece
htmedia.page.link Sep 03
FLY91, now with Abhinandan Varthaman as pilot, orders 40 ATR aircraft for nearly $1 billion
livemint.com/companies/fly91-now-with-abhinandan-varthaman-as-pilot-orders-40-atr-aircraft-for-nearly-1-billion-11788436479529.html
Fighter pilot Abhinandan who crashed in Pakistan and shot down F-16 quits Indian Air Force, joins private airline | India News
hindustantimes.com/india-news/fighter-pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-who-crashed-in-pakistan-shot-down-f-16-quits-iaf-joins-private-airline-101788396217857.html
Fighter pilot Abhinandan, taken POW after he downed Pak jet, goes commercial: Abhinandan Varthaman received the Vir Chakra — India’s third-highest wartime ...
indianexpress.com/article/india/abhinandan-varthaman-joins-regional-carrier-fly91-10861421/
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business-standard.com/india-news/abhinandan-varthaman-quits-iaf-joins-goa-based-airline-fly91-as-pilot-126090300569_1.html
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