Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be honored with the Vir Chakra , India’s third highest wartime medal, on Independence Day for shooting down a Pakistan F-16 during the 27th February air-skirmish between the Indian Air Force and Pakistan Air Force a day after Balakot strikes.
Sapper Prakash Jadhav, who sacrificed his life in an encounter with terrorists at Kulgam in November 2018, and CRPF Dy Comdt Harshpal Singh will be honored with Kirti Chakras. Another 14 personnel will be honored with Shaurya Chakras.
Kirti Chakra and Shaurya Chakra are the second and third highest gallantry medals after Ashoka Chakra during peacetime. Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry medal after Param Vir Chakra & Maha Vir Chakra in war-time (presence of the enemy).
Indian Air Force’s Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal will be honored with the Yudh Seva Medal for her role as a fighter controller during the 27th February aerial conflict.
The Mirage-2000 pilots who conducted the successful bombing of the main Jaish-e-Mohammed facility at Balakot in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province in the pre-dawn air strikes on 26th February, in turn, will be awarded with Vayu Sena (gallantry) medals.
Varthaman’s name was recommended by the IAF for the gallantry awards annually honored upon on Independence day.
IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be honored with Vir Chakra
