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Balakot Air Strike Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman Joins Airline After 22 Years of Military Service
Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, VrC, is back in the headlines this time, but for a very different reason. The 43-year-old fighter pilot has begun a new chapter in his aviation career after joining Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot. Varthaman, who became a household name following the 2019 India-Pakistan aerial confrontation in the aftermath of the Balakot air strikes, retired from the Indian Air Force after nearly 22 years of military service in March. He has now transitioned from flying fighter aircraft to civil aviation.
According to reports, Varthaman joined FLY91 in August. The airline has confirmed his association, while keeping details about his training schedule private.
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- From the 2019 Aerial Conflict to a New Career
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Abhinandan Varthaman gained national prominence during the aerial engagement between India and Pakistan on February 27, 2019. Flying a MiG-21 Bison, he was involved in the confrontation that followed the Balakot air strikes. His aircraft was subsequently shot down, and he was captured in Pakistan, where he remained in custody for around three days before returning to India on March 1, 2019. His actions during the conflict later earned him the Vir Chakra.
For Varthaman, the new role represents the beginning of a second innings in the skies—this time with passengers rather than fighter missions on board.