IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman to get Vir Chakra on Independence Day

IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet, will be awarded Vir Chakra on Independence Day. Varthaman was captured by Pakistan following the crash of his jet on Pakistan soil during the aerial conflict between India and Pakistan after Balakot airstrike and was later released. Vir Chakra is third in precedence in war time gallantry awards.