Wing Commander Abhinandan’s Squadron To Receive Unit Citation For Thwarting Pak Jets’ Intrusion And Bringing Down F-16

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's Squadron No. 51 is set to be awarded unit citation by the new Air Chief Marshal, RKS Bhadauria for successfully pushing back Pakistani fighter jets from Indian territory and for shooting down an F-16 fighter jet, reports Asian News International (ANI).

The prestigious award will be received by the commanding officer Group Captain Satish Pawar on 8 October for the valiant and impeccable security posturing displayed at a time of heightened security situation post the Balakot airstrikes.

Along with Squadron No. 51, Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal's 601 signal unit will also be receiving the honour for the role played in the Balakot airstrikes on 26 February, and during the engagement with incoming Pakistani fighter jets the following day.

Also, Squadron No. 9 will be honoured for it was its Mirage 2000 fighter jets and pilots who had carried out the historic Balakot airstrikes. The operation which was titled 'Operation Bandar' witnessed Indian fighter jets crossing the LoC and bombing Pakistani territory after several decades.