Abhinandan Varthaman is an Indian Air Force personnel. After he was captured by the Pakistani army on February 27, 2019, his name started circulating in the media. Pakistan shared a video of a man wearing a flight suit. In the video, the man can be heard saying that he is Wing Commander Abhinandan. In the video, he is blindfolded and gives his service number. He said in the video——
My name is Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Abhinandan. My service number is 27981. I’m a pilot. My religion is Hinduism. “
He was arrested in Pakistan😂. #pakistanarmyzindabad pic.twitter.com/94kzVLv175
— Kafil Aslam (@kafilaslam) February 27, 2019
In the video, Abhinandan Varthaman is seen tied behind and bleeding from his nose.
Abhinandan Varthaman detained by Pakistan
In another video, he was beaten by thugs in Pakistan.
Pictured here is Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan. Notice there is no blood on his face and people are beating him. Apparently he didn’t have any injuries on his face when he was arrested #Abhinandan #IndianAir Force #IndiaStrikePakistan pic.twitter.com/eTRHNyniCE
— Rishabh Rant (@RishabhRant) February 27, 2019
Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor confirmed the arrest of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. He said——
Two Indian pilots have been detained and are being treated well: one of them was injured and is receiving appropriate medical care. “
Subsequently, the Indian government also confirmed that an Indian Air Force pilot was missing in action and acknowledged Pakistan’s claim that the pilot was detained.
Statement of the Government of India on February 27, 2019 regarding the missing pilots of the Indian Air Force
According to sources, Abhinandan Varthaman hails from Tambaram residential area in south Chennai and his ancestors are from Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu. Abhinandan Varthaman is a MiG 21 Bison pilot. He was born on June 21, 1983 (40 years old; as of 2023). According to reports, he was appointed to the Indian Air Force on June 19, 2004.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and his officers
In another video, Abhinandan Varthaman praised the Pakistan Army. In the same video, he revealed that he is married. His wife, Tanvi Marwaha, has served as a squadron leader in the Indian Air Force for 15 years. The service number of Tanvi Marwaha is 28800.
Tanvi Marwaha, wife of Abhinandan Varthaman, serves as squadron leader
Tanvi Marwaha has also completed the Armed Forces Administrative Course from Ahmedabad College. Currently, Tanvi Marwaha serves as the Deputy General Manager at Reliance Jio, Bengaluru.
Tanvi Marwaha, wife of Abhinandan Varthaman
Abhinandan had a son named Tavish.
Abhinandan Varthaman with wife Tanvi Marwaha and son Tavish
Abhinandan’s father, Simhakutty Varthaman, is a retired Air Marshal of the Indian Air Force. Simhakutty also served as Air Chief Marshal, Eastern Air Command. His service phone number is 13606. Abhinandan’s mother’s name is Shobha and she is a doctor.
Abhinandan Varthaman’s parents
The Air Marshal, a resident of Chennai, was awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal. Abhinandan’s father Simhakutty also served as a consultant for Mani Ratnam’s film Kaatru Veliyidai (2017). The film is set against the backdrop of the 1999 Kargil War and tells the story of an Indian military pilot who was held as a prisoner of war in Rawalpindi Prison, Pakistan. Coincidentally, a similar incident happened to his son Abhinandan Varthaman on February 27, 2019, when he was captured by the Pakistani army.
The entire incident took place in the backdrop of the 2019 Pulwama attack. During the attack, a convoy carrying Indian security personnel was attacked by a vehicle-borne suicide bomb in Lethpora (near Awantipora) in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir while traveling on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. attack by attackers; resulting in the death of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel and the attackers.
Pulwama attack site
The attacker was later identified as Adil Ahmad Dar, a native of Indian-administered Kashmir and a member of Jaish-e-Mohammed. Pakistan-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed claimed responsibility for the attack.
File photo of Adil Ahmed Dar
In retaliation for the Pulwama attack, 12 Mirage 2000 jets of the Indian Air Force crossed the Line of Control on February 26, 2019 and dropped bombs in the Balakot region of Pakistan. India claimed it had attacked Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp from Balakot and killed a large number of terrorists.
An Indian Air Force jet during an airstrike in Balakot
The conflict between India and Pakistan escalated on February 27, 2019, after the Pakistani Air Force violated Indian airspace in the Poonch and Nowshera districts of Jammu and Kashmir. Indian officials said a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet was shot down in Jammu, while Pakistan claimed to have shot down two Indian Air Force planes and arrested its two pilots.
A Pakistani soldier sits on the wreckage of an Indian Air Force jet
Speaking at a press conference, Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said:
Two Indian Air Force aircraft violated the Line of Control and entered Pakistan. Pakistan Air Force is ready. They accepted the attack, an engagement ensued, and eventually, both Indian aircraft were shot down. Among them, the wreckage of one plane fell on our side, and the wreckage of the second plane fell on their side. “
After the arrest of Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Abhinandan Varthaman, a flood of tweets and posts started pouring in from other social media platforms; praying for his safe return to Indian soil.
Tweets after Pakistan arrests Abhinandan Varthaman
On February 28, 2019, Imran Khan stated in a speech in the Pakistani Parliament that Pakistan would release Abhinandan on March 1, 2019.
On March 1, 2019, Abhinandan returned to India via the Wagah border. In August 2019, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third highest gallantry award.
Abhinandan Varthaman was conferred the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind during an investiture ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi
In November 2019, his mannequin was displayed at a war museum in Pakistan.
Pakistani students pose with model Abhinandan Varthaman
Following is Abhinandan Varthaman’s service in the Indian Air Force:
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education