Former Indian Air Force Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 during the 2019 Balakot air strike before being held captive for three days, has joined a private airline as a pilot, according to sources.
The 43-year-old fighter pilot, who retired from the IAF in March this year, reportedly joined FLY91 last month.
There is currently no information about his specific role or flying duties. A spokesperson for FLY91 said employee-related personal information was private and declined to comment.
Varthaman shot down the Pakistani F-16 during an aerial engagement in February 2019, but his MiG-21 Bison was also struck during the combat.
He was forced to eject over Pakistan-occupied territory and was subsequently captured by Pakistani forces, remaining in their custody for three days.
Varthaman is credited with being the only MiG-21 pilot to have shot down an F-16. In 2021, he was awarded the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest wartime gallantry honour, for demonstrating an “exceptional sense of duty” during the aerial engagement.
His award citation commended his conduct during the dogfight, noting that he engaged Pakistani aircraft despite facing a numerically superior force.
At the time of the Balakot strike, Varthaman held the rank of Wing Commander. The IAF later promoted him to Group Captain.
FLY91 commenced commercial operations in March 2024 and currently operates six ATR 72-600 aircraft. The airline has bases in Goa and Hyderabad.
