Wait, What? Indian pilot Abhinandan gets wartime military bravery award

The Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was downed by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and then paraded on video, was awarded the ‘Vir Chakra’ in a ceremony today.

Abhinandan was recently promoted to the rank of Group Captain, according to India media.

Indian media had been claiming that Abhinandan had shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft during aerial combat on February 27, 2019, a claim both Pakistan and later the United States had rejected.

Delhi: Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhinandan Varthaman being accorded the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind, for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft during aerial combat on February 27, 2019. pic.twitter.com/vvbpAYuaJX

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— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2021

“Pakistan’s F-16 combat jets have all been accounted for,” A US-based Foreign Policy magazine, citing US officials, had confirmed, contradicting the Indian air force assessment.

In the process, he flew over Pakistan occupied Kashmir and his MiG-21 was hit and he had to eject over the territory controlled by Islamabad.

The Indian pilot was in fact, captured by Pakistani villagers and then rescued by the Pakistani soldiers.

Read More: Twitter users enjoying ‘World’s Biggest Tea Party’ today in the memory of 27th Feb

In a video posted on social media, a Pakistani soldier ankle-deep in a stream of water in the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) could be seen shielding Abhinandan from angry villagers and shouting “enough” as they pummel his bloodied face and strike blows against his limp body.

Later, in another video released by Pakistan’s military, Abhinandan was shown without a blindfold and thanking the Pakistan Army and sipping tea.

The army later released him as a goodwill gesture. But Pakistanis still enjoy Abhinandan’s infamous line, “the tea was fantastic” while in custody, and today they cannot help themselves from trolling him.

The Vir Chakra for brave Abhinandan. https://t.co/PiC6w0n3ol pic.twitter.com/o2ueG3AUyV

— Nadeem Farooq Paracha (@NadeemfParacha) November 22, 2021

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Vice-President Sherry Rehman tweeted: “Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody? #paralleluniverse”

Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody ? #paralleluniverse https://t.co/2FWr8fNTa8

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 22, 2021

The pilot of our downed F16 resting in peace somewhere https://t.co/P2qzY3rLFN pic.twitter.com/uahXnuab96

— Sadiia A 🇵🇰 (@DrS_adiaA) November 22, 2021

F-16
mount everest is smaller then the delusion and ignorance of Indians pic.twitter.com/8Ai1Zw4JIZ

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— Abdul Sammad💓🇵🇰🇵🇸🇹🇷🇮🇷💓 (@AbdulSa63405005) November 22, 2021

“Fantastic,” wrote Focal Person to the Prime Minister on Digital Media Arslan Khalid.

Fantastic 😂 Actually I feel for Abhinandan. Just because of @narendramodi and Indian media denial of the defeat and embarrassment they had bk then, poor Abhinandan is reminded of the episode every second month. https://t.co/tXTDHihrT7 pic.twitter.com/204G0RTIxL

— Dr Arslan Khalid (@arslankhalid_m) November 22, 2021

Last year, Pakistan’s Air Force also opened a new gallery in its museum on Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was shot down in the dogfight. The waxwork figure did feature the famous moustache.

That famous teacup, along with the Indian pilot’s flight uniform and other items from the skirmish, were then displayed in the museum in Karachi. A large effigy of the pilot, dressed in a copy of his Indian uniform, was also on show.