Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who became the face of the tense military confrontation between India and Pakistan, has been shifted out of Srinagar and posted to a frontline air base in the western sector, official sources said Saturday.
It is also learnt that the IAF was going to recommendVarthaman’s name for Vir Chakra, the coveted wartime gallantry medal, which isthe third highest after the Paramvir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra.
Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan on February 27during an aerial combat with Indian Air Force, had returned to his squadron inSrinagar last month though he was on a four-week sick leave.
Orders have been issued for his transfer from Srinagar toanother base in the western sector, sources said, terming the transfer as”routine one”.
The IAF pilot went on leave in mid-March after securityagencies completed a nearly two-week debriefing following his return fromPakistan.
Sources said a medical board will review his fitness to helpthe IAF top brass decide whether he can return to fighter cockpit as desired byhim.
Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on February 27after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jetsduring aerial combat.
Before his jet was hit, he downed an F-16 fighter ofPakistan. Varthaman was released on the night of March 1 by Pakistan.
After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace inhandling the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised bypoliticians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and peoplein general.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after Indianfighters bombed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed’s biggest training camp nearBalakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26.
Pakistan retaliated by attempting to target Indian militaryinstallations the next day. However, the IAF thwarted their plans.
The Indian strike on the JeM camp came 12 days after the outfit claimed responsibility for a suicide attack on a CRPF convoy in Kashmir, killing 40 soldiers.