Pakistan was forced to return Shri _________, the Indian Air Force pilot in February-2019 aftermath Balakot airstrike by Indian Air Force.

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

NPCIL Stipendiary Trainee 2021 Official Paper-I

Answer 1

The correct answer is Abhinandan.

Key Points

Abhinandan Varthaman is an Indian Air Force pilot who was captured by Pakistan on February 27, 2019.
He was returned to India on March 1, 2019, after being held for 60 hours.
His capture occurred during the aerial combat between India and Pakistan following the Balakot airstrike.
Abhinandan was awarded the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry award, for his bravery.

Additional Information

Balakot Airstrike:
- The Balakot airstrike was conducted by the Indian Air Force on February 26, 2019.
- The target was a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan.
- The airstrike was in response to the Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019, which killed 40 CRPF personnel.
India-Pakistan Aerial Combat:
- On February 27, 2019, Pakistan Air Force jets entered Indian airspace, leading to aerial combat.
- During the combat, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG-21 was shot down.
Vir Chakra:
- Vir Chakra is India's third-highest military decoration awarded for acts of gallantry in the face of the enemy.
- Abhinandan Varthaman received this award for his bravery during the aerial combat with Pakistan.
Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM):
- JeM is a Pakistan-based jihadist group responsible for several terrorist attacks in India.
- The group claimed responsibility for the Pulwama attack on February 14, 2019.