Wing Commander Abhinandan: Brave Indian Hero

Abhinandan Varthaman, an Indian Air Force (IAF) wing commander, hails from the Tamil Nadu village of Thirupanamoor. He was born on June 21, 1983, and attended Chennai's Sainik Welfare School before graduating from the National Defence Academy. Varthaman was employed as a flying officer into the IAF's combat stream in June 2004. He was promoted to flight lieutenant in 2006 and squadron leader in 2010 after getting training at various IAF centers. Abhinandan Varthaman's father was also a member of the Indian Air Force. His mother is a doctor, and he retired as an Air Marshal in the IAF. He has two children and is married to a retired IAF squadron leader.

When the Pakistani Air Force shot down two Indian airplanes in 2019, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was arrested. Abhinandan's plane was shot down in retaliation for India's bombings on Pakistani soil, according to Islamabad. Wing Commander Varthaman was arrested after bailing out of his plane across the Line of Control but not before bringing down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 that was attempting to assault Indian troops on the morning of February 27 in Jammu's Nowshera sector. Varthaman was rescued from a violent mob of villagers by the Pakistani military, given first aid, and interrogated while blindfolded, according to recordings and photographs published by the country. On February 28, 2019, Pakistan agreed to free him. On March 1, 2019, he arrived in Wagah, India. He was also held captive for 60 hours.

By: Samaira Sachdeva
Delhi Public School, Gautam Buddh Nagar