As Indian Air Force(IAF) Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman was honoured with the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 after India's Balakot strikes, Pakistan once again claimed that it was "baseless".

Pakistan's foreign office released a statement saying it "categorically rejects the entirely baseless Indian claims that a Pakistani F-16 aircraft was shot down by an Indian pilot".

Pakistan's foreign office went on to add that India was "propagating a lie". "Granting military honours for imaginary feats of gallantry is contrary to every norm of military conduct," it said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iafs-abhinandan-varthaman-who-shot-down-pak-f-16-honoured-with-vir-chakra-431185">Also Read:&nbsp;IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pak F-16 honoured with Vir Chakra</a>

"By giving such award, also as an afterthought, India has only made a mockery of itself," Pakistan's foreign office said in a statement.

"India’s insistence on propagating a lie that has been thoroughly exposed is ludicrous and nonsensical," the statement claimed.

Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison was involved in a dogfight with a Pakistani F-16, a day after Indian jets blew up Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)&nbsp;terror camps at Balakot on&nbsp;February 26, 2019. Pakistan had sent its fighter jets towards India in retaliation which was intercepted by IAF planes.

Varthaman shot down the US-built F-16 and his MiG-21 was shot down as he ejected and landed in POK.&nbsp;

Pakistan's foreign office while describing the incident said: "Indian Air Force was completely outplayed on the day. It is obvious that India's farcical story has no credibility whatsoever before the international community."

During the ceremony at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan,&nbsp;Varthaman was applauded for being "brave and dignified" while in captivity. The Indian Air Force ace had spent three&nbsp;days in Pakistan and was released later as he crossed the Wagah border into India.

(With inputs from Agencies)

As Indian Air Force(IAF) Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman was honoured with the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 after India's Balakot strikes, Pakistan once again claimed that it was "baseless".

As Indian Air Force(IAF) Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman was honoured with the Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 after India's Balakot strikes, Pakistan once again claimed that it was "baseless". Pakistan's foreign office released a statement saying it "categorically rejects the entirely baseless Indian claims that a Pakistani F-16 aircraft was shot down by an Indian pilot". Pakistan's foreign office went on to add that India was "propagating a lie". "Granting military honours for imaginary feats of gallantry is contrary to every norm of military conduct," it said. Also Read: IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pak F-16 honoured with Vir Chakra "By giving such award, also as an afterthought, India has only made a mockery of itself," Pakistan's foreign office said in a statement. "India’s insistence on propagating a lie that has been thoroughly exposed is ludicrous and nonsensical," the statement claimed. Abhinandan Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison was involved in a dogfight with a Pakistani F-16, a day after Indian jets blew up Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror camps at Balakot on February 26, 2019. Pakistan had sent its fighter jets towards India in retaliation which was intercepted by IAF planes. Varthaman shot down the US-built F-16 and his MiG-21 was shot down as he ejected and landed in POK. Pakistan's foreign office while describing the incident said: "Indian Air Force was completely outplayed on the day. It is obvious that India's farcical story has no credibility whatsoever before the international community." During the ceremony at the Rashtrapathi Bhawan, Varthaman was applauded for being "brave and dignified" while in captivity. The Indian Air Force ace had spent three days in Pakistan and was released later as he crossed the Wagah border into India. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Ludicrous and nonsensical': Vir Chakra for IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman riles Pakistan

Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman who had shot down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 during an air battle was honoured with the prestigious Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

"President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty," the government said.

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President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty. <a href="https://t.co/zrmQJgfbEr">pic.twitter.com/zrmQJgfbEr</a>
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The confrontation had&nbsp;taken place after Indian jets struck Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps at Balakot leading the Pakistani Air Force to retaliate the next day.

Varthaman was given the gallantry award for his "exceptional sense of duty" during the aerial battle with Pakistani jets. The dogfight had taken place on February 27, 2019, as Pakistani jets tried to intrude into Indian territory.&nbsp;

Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison intercepted Pakistan's F-16 and was involved in a dogfight.&nbsp;

The citation said the Indian Air Force pilot "displayed&nbsp;exceptional air combat acumen and knowledge of the enemy's tactics" while "scanning the low altitude airspace with his Airborne Intercept (AI) radar and picked up an enemy aircraft that was flying low to ambush the Indian fighter-interceptor aircraft."

His MiG-21 plane was hit by a missile and he ejected into POK. Varthaman's conduct during the capture was applauded at the ceremony for being "brave and dignified".&nbsp;

Abhinandan Varthaman spent three days in captivity and was released by Pakistani authorities as he crossed the Wagah border into India.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman who had shot down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 during an air battle was honoured with the prestigious Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday.

Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman who had shot down a Pakistani F-16 in February 2019 during an air battle was honoured with the prestigious Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday. "President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty," the government said. President Kovind presents Vir Chakra to Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Varthaman Abhinandan. He showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed exceptional sense of duty. pic.twitter.com/zrmQJgfbEr — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 22, 2021 × The confrontation had taken place after Indian jets struck Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camps at Balakot leading the Pakistani Air Force to retaliate the next day. Varthaman was given the gallantry award for his "exceptional sense of duty" during the aerial battle with Pakistani jets. The dogfight had taken place on February 27, 2019, as Pakistani jets tried to intrude into Indian territory. Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison intercepted Pakistan's F-16 and was involved in a dogfight. The citation said the Indian Air Force pilot "displayed exceptional air combat acumen and knowledge of the enemy's tactics" while "scanning the low altitude airspace with his Airborne Intercept (AI) radar and picked up an enemy aircraft that was flying low to ambush the Indian fighter-interceptor aircraft." His MiG-21 plane was hit by a missile and he ejected into POK. Varthaman's conduct during the capture was applauded at the ceremony for being "brave and dignified". Abhinandan Varthaman spent three days in captivity and was released by Pakistani authorities as he crossed the Wagah border into India. (With inputs from Agencies)

IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pak F-16  honoured with Vir Chakra

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'Ludicrous and nonsensical': Vir Chakra for IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman riles Pakistan

IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down Pak F-16 honoured with Vir Chakra