Wing Commander Abhinandan Resumes Flying MiG-21 After Receiving Medical Clearance

IAF fighter pilot and Vir Chakra awardee Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who became the first pilot to have shot down an American made Pakistani F-16 jet with a generation older MiG-21 Bison aircraft has resumed flying operations, reports Livemint.

Having received his medical clearance from necessary authorities, Varthaman has resumed flying operations, continuing to pilot the Mig-21 Bison aircraft. He has posted at a forward base in the western deserts.

Resumption of Varthaman's flying activity has come after a long wait as he had been grounded since his return from Pakistan, after his fighter jet had crashed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) on 27 February.

Having witnessed the live action between Indian and Pakistani jets on 27 August, Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal who was guiding Varthaman's aircraft had revealed how she had seen the ace pilot shoot down the Pakistani F-16 which went off the radar soon after the hit.

Varthaman's maneuvering of his aircraft and gallantry had played a major role in pushing back the Pakistan Air Force's jets, and thwarting their attempts to take down Indian military installations in the Naushera sector.