Abhinandan Varthaman

Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman VrC is an Indian Air Force officer and fighter pilot. He flew a MiG-21 Bison during an aerial engagement on 27 February 2019, when his aircraft was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force. He was captured by the Pakistan Army after landing in Pakistani territory, approximately 7 km from the Line of Control. On 1 March 2019, he was released and returned to India.