Indian Air Force promoted Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to the rank of Group Captain. The well-known Indian fighter pilot was shot down by Wing Commander Noman Ali Khan of Pakistan Air Force on 27th February 2019 when he entered Pakistani aerospace.
Wing Commander Abhinandan entered Pakistani aerospace in an attempt to chase Pakistani fighter jets who had conducted an airstrike on the Northern Brigade of Indian Army on 27th February 2019.
Indian Air Force lost two fighter jets in this air-to-air combat against Pakistan Air Force, One of the jets was MiG-21 flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan and the second Indian fighter jet lost in this air combat was Su-30MKI.
Wing Commander Abhinandan had ejected and landed in Pakistan administrated Kashmir where he was beaten publicly by the angry mob for entering Pakistani aerospace. Pakistan Army rescued wounded Wing Commander Abhinandan and evacuated him to the nearest Military hospital of the Pakistan army.
As per viral videos on social media, Wing Commander Abhinandan was treated with respect and dignity according to the military norms of Pakistan and he was returned to do Indian government after relaxation between India-Pakistan tensions.