<p>PML(N) leader Ayaz Sadiq's revelation that India would have attacked Pakistan at "night by 9 pm" if Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman wasn't released has created ripples in the Imran Khan-led PTI government.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-was-scared-of-indian-attack-truth-behind-abhinandans-release-revealed-338667">Also Read |&nbsp;Pakistan was scared of Indian attack: Truth behind Abhinandan's release revealed</a></p>

<p>Imran's association with Sadiq goes back to his college years as both Pakistan politicians studied&nbsp;in Lahore's elite Aitchison college. Sadiq is known to be one of Sharif's most trusted aides. The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-sharpens-attack-on-army-isi-chief-maryam-says-sun-is-about-to-set-337967">PML(N)</a> leader was elected Speaker of the National Assembly in 2013.</p>

<p>Sadiq had defeated Imran Khan in the National Assembly from Lahore during the elections. However, Imran cried foul after the results were declared and the court ordered re-election as Sadiq again secured victory.</p>

<p>The PML(N) leader during his speech in the Pakistan Parliament said during a meeting with foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in which PPP and PML-N leaders were present the Pakistan foreign minister&nbsp;had asked IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan to be set free.</p>

<p>"I remember Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in the meeting in which Imran Khan had refused to attend and Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa came into the room, his legs were shaking and he was perspiring," Sadiq said in Parliament, adding,"Foreign minister Qureshi said for God's sake let Abhinandan go, India`s about to attack Pakistan at 9pm".</p>

<p>Wing Commander Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft was shot down by Pakistan's F-16 fighter during a dog fight on &nbsp;February 27 last year. Pakistan later returned Abhinandan to India who came back from the Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019.</p>

<p>Wg Commander Abhinandan was awarded the Vir Chakra on Independence Day by President Ram Nath Kovind.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


PML(N) leader Ayaz Sadiq's revelation that India would have attacked Pakistan at "night by 9 pm" if Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman wasn't released has created ripples in the Imran Khan-led PTI government.

PML(N) leader Ayaz Sadiq's revelation that India would have attacked Pakistan at "night by 9 pm" if Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman wasn't released has created ripples in the Imran Khan-led PTI government. Also Read | Pakistan was scared of Indian attack: Truth behind Abhinandan's release revealed Imran's association with Sadiq goes back to his college years as both Pakistan politicians studied in Lahore's elite Aitchison college. Sadiq is known to be one of Sharif's most trusted aides. The PML(N) leader was elected Speaker of the National Assembly in 2013. Sadiq had defeated Imran Khan in the National Assembly from Lahore during the elections. However, Imran cried foul after the results were declared and the court ordered re-election as Sadiq again secured victory. The PML(N) leader during his speech in the Pakistan Parliament said during a meeting with foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in which PPP and PML-N leaders were present the Pakistan foreign minister had asked IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan to be set free. "I remember Shah Mahmood Qureshi was in the meeting in which Imran Khan had refused to attend and Chief of Army Staff General Bajwa came into the room, his legs were shaking and he was perspiring," Sadiq said in Parliament, adding,"Foreign minister Qureshi said for God's sake let Abhinandan go, India`s about to attack Pakistan at 9pm". Wing Commander Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft was shot down by Pakistan's F-16 fighter during a dog fight on February 27 last year. Pakistan later returned Abhinandan to India who came back from the Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019. Wg Commander Abhinandan was awarded the Vir Chakra on Independence Day by President Ram Nath Kovind.

'Bajwa's legs were shaking': Who is PML(N) leader Ayaz Sadiq?

A Pakistan politician claimed that fearing an attack by India, the Imran Khan Government had abruptly released Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. In a speech in the National Assembly, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) leader Ayaz Sadiq said that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi had in an important meeting pointed out that if Pakistan did not release Abhinandan Varthaman, India would attack Pakistan "that night by 9 pm."

Pakistan: Ayaz Sadiq reveals truth behind Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's release

<p>IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a PAF F-16 during a dogfight on February 27 earlier this year, flew MiG-21 Bison aircraft over Air Force Day parade today at Hindon Air Base.</p>

<p>Three Mirage 2000 aircraft and two Su-30MKI fighter aircraft also flew in 'Avenger formation'.</p>

<p>The planes are being flown by pilots who took part in Balakot airstrike. Air Fighter Pilots who took part in Balakot airstrikes were included in the parade as a mark of tribute to the teams which carried out the strike on February 26 and thwarted the Pakistani aerial attack on February 27.</p>

<p>The dogfight on February 27 erupted after PAF tried to carry out an attack on Indian military installations which was thwarted by the IAF.</p>

<p>A day before, IAF had carried out aerial strikes at JeM Camp in Pakistan's Balakot.</p>

<p>The IAF carried out the strikes days after a terror attack on CRPF convoy in Jammu Kashmir's Pulwama which claimed the lives of over 40 paramilitary personnel.</p>

<p>Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated 87th anniversary on Air Force Day at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria were present at the event.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a PAF F-16 during a dogfight on February 27 earlier this year, flew MiG-21 Bison aircraft over Air Force Day parade today at Hindon Air Base.

IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down a PAF F-16 during a dogfight on February 27 earlier this year, flew MiG-21 Bison aircraft over Air Force Day parade today at Hindon Air Base. Three Mirage 2000 aircraft and two Su-30MKI fighter aircraft also flew in 'Avenger formation'. The planes are being flown by pilots who took part in Balakot airstrike. Air Fighter Pilots who took part in Balakot airstrikes were included in the parade as a mark of tribute to the teams which carried out the strike on February 26 and thwarted the Pakistani aerial attack on February 27. The dogfight on February 27 erupted after PAF tried to carry out an attack on Indian military installations which was thwarted by the IAF. A day before, IAF had carried out aerial strikes at JeM Camp in Pakistan's Balakot. The IAF carried out the strikes days after a terror attack on CRPF convoy in Jammu Kashmir's Pulwama which claimed the lives of over 40 paramilitary personnel. Indian Air Force (IAF) celebrated 87th anniversary on Air Force Day at Hindon Air Base in Ghaziabad. Army Chief General Bipin Rawat and IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria were present at the event.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman flies fighter jet over Air Force Day Parade

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-returns-to-his-squadron-in-srinagar-205913">Indian Air Force pilot</a> whose aircraft was shot down inside Pak territory during a dog fight with Pakistani jets on February 27th, flew a MiG-21 for the first time today.</p>

<p>Abhinandan flew with Indian IAF chief Marshal BS Dhanoa.</p>

<p>Both men flew the trainer version of the MiG-21 Type 69 fighter aircraft. This was also the last sortie of the IAF chief in a combat aircraft.</p>

<p>Abhinandan's MiG-21 Bison was shot&nbsp;down by Pakistani fire as he engaged Pakistani jets who had entered Indian air space after the Balakot strikes on February 26.</p>

<p>Abhinandan was taken into custody by Pakistani authorities but was later returned amid tensions between India-Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack on February 14th in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.</p>


Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force pilot whose aircraft was shot down inside Pak territory during a dog fight with Pakistani jets on February 27th, flew a MiG-21 for the first time today.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, the Indian Air Force pilot whose aircraft was shot down inside Pak territory during a dog fight with Pakistani jets on February 27th, flew a MiG-21 for the first time today. Abhinandan flew with Indian IAF chief Marshal BS Dhanoa. Both men flew the trainer version of the MiG-21 Type 69 fighter aircraft. This was also the last sortie of the IAF chief in a combat aircraft. Abhinandan's MiG-21 Bison was shot down by Pakistani fire as he engaged Pakistani jets who had entered Indian air space after the Balakot strikes on February 26. Abhinandan was taken into custody by Pakistani authorities but was later returned amid tensions between India-Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack on February 14th in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

Abhinandan flies with IAF chief Dhanoa for first time after Pak air battle

<p>Indian Air Force's (IAF) Wing Commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-to-be-conferred-with-vir-chakra-on-independence-day-242903">Abhinandan Varthaman</a>, who was recently awarded Vir Chakra for downing F-16 during an aerial conflict with Pakistan a day after Balakot airstrike, has started flying MiG-21 again.</p>

<p>According to reports, Abhinandan is serving at an IAF base in Rajasthan.</p>

<p>He was taken off the flying duties after he suffered injuries while ejecting from his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/iaf-pilot-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-crosses-wagah-border-reaches-india-200569#abhinandan-returns-home-200563">MiG-21 Bison</a> during the aerial combat.</p>

<p>He was given the go-ahead to fly again after thorough medical examinations.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
He was conferred the Vir Chakra on India's Independence Day on August 15. The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra.</p>

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following an aerial conflict between the two air forces. He was handed over to Indian officials by Pakistan on March 1.</p>

<p>The Balakot airstrike was carried out by India in response to the terror attack by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14.</p>

<p>Following the airstrike, Pakistan had violated the Indian airspace on February 27 when Abhinandan had strayed into Pakistani territory after shooting down F-16. He was released through the Attari-Wagah border after spending two days in Pakistan's custody.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian Air Force's (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was recently awarded Vir Chakra for downing F-16 during an aerial conflict with Pakistan a day after Balakot airstrike, has started flying MiG-21 again.

Indian Air Force's (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was recently awarded Vir Chakra for downing F-16 during an aerial conflict with Pakistan a day after Balakot airstrike, has started flying MiG-21 again. According to reports, Abhinandan is serving at an IAF base in Rajasthan. He was taken off the flying duties after he suffered injuries while ejecting from his MiG-21 Bison during the aerial combat. He was given the go-ahead to fly again after thorough medical examinations. He was conferred the Vir Chakra on India's Independence Day on August 15. The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following an aerial conflict between the two air forces. He was handed over to Indian officials by Pakistan on March 1. The Balakot airstrike was carried out by India in response to the terror attack by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14. Following the airstrike, Pakistan had violated the Indian airspace on February 27 when Abhinandan had strayed into Pakistani territory after shooting down F-16. He was released through the Attari-Wagah border after spending two days in Pakistan's custody. (With inputs from agencies)

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman starts flying MiG-21: Report

<p>Wing Commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-recommending-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-for-wartime-gallantry-award-vir-chakra-212112">Abhinandan Varthaman</a> will be conferred with Vir Chakra on Independence Day for striking down F-16 in an aerial conflict with Pakistan a day after Balakot airstrike in February 2019.</p>

<p>The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal will be conferred with Yudh Seva Medal for her role as a fighter controller during the aerial conflict between the two countries, reported news agency ANI.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
Air Commodore Sunil Kashinath Vidhate, Gp Capts Yashpal Singh Negi, Hansel Joseph Sequeira and Hemant Kumar will be awarded the Yudh Sewa Medal for the planning and execution of the Balakot airstrike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist camp in Balakot.</p>

<p>Abhinandan Varthaman's name was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/iaf-pilot-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-crosses-wagah-border-reaches-india-200569">recommended by the IAF</a> for the gallantry awards which are conferred upon on Independence Day by the President of India.<br />
<br />
The Balakot airstrike was carried out by India in response to the terror attack by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14.</p>

<p>Following the airstrike, Pakistan had violated the Indian airspace on February 27 when Abhinandan had strayed into Pakistani territory after shooting down F-16. He was released through the Attari-Wagah border after spending two days in Pakistan's custody.<br />
<br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be conferred with Vir Chakra on Independence Day for striking down F-16 in an aerial conflict with Pakistan a day after Balakot airstrike in February 2019.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be conferred with Vir Chakra on Independence Day for striking down F-16 in an aerial conflict with Pakistan a day after Balakot airstrike in February 2019. The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. Meanwhile, Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal will be conferred with Yudh Seva Medal for her role as a fighter controller during the aerial conflict between the two countries, reported news agency ANI. Air Commodore Sunil Kashinath Vidhate, Gp Capts Yashpal Singh Negi, Hansel Joseph Sequeira and Hemant Kumar will be awarded the Yudh Sewa Medal for the planning and execution of the Balakot airstrike on the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist camp in Balakot. Abhinandan Varthaman's name was recommended by the IAF for the gallantry awards which are conferred upon on Independence Day by the President of India. The Balakot airstrike was carried out by India in response to the terror attack by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14. Following the airstrike, Pakistan had violated the Indian airspace on February 27 when Abhinandan had strayed into Pakistani territory after shooting down F-16. He was released through the Attari-Wagah border after spending two days in Pakistan's custody. (With inputs from agencies)

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman to be conferred Vir Chakra on Independence Day

Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan for almost 60 hours after Balakot airstrike in February, will be conferred with Vir Chakra on the 73rd Independence Day

Abhinandan Varthaman to be awarded with Vir Chakra on Independence Day

<p>The government is expected to announce India's top military honour for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down F-16 in an aerial conflict with Pakistan in February 2019.</p>

<p>Abhinandan is likely to be conferred with Vir Chakra which was recommended by the Indian Air Force. The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra.</p>

<p>Along with Abhinandan, five Mirage-2000 fighter pilots who had dropped bombs on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan, are likely to be awarded Vayu Sena Medal for their act of bravery.</p>

<p>According to reports, the list of awardees will be approved by President Ram Nath Kovind on August 14 and the awards will be given&nbsp;on the Independence Day.</p>

<p>He was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following an aerial conflict between the two air forces. He was handed over to Indian officials by Pakistan&nbsp;on March 1.</p>

<p>The Balakot airstrike was carried out by India in response to the terror attack by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14.</p>

<p>Following the airstrike, Pakistan had violated the Indian airspace on February 27 when Abhinandan had strayed into Pakistani territory after shooting down F-16.</p>

<p><br />
<em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
&nbsp;</p>


The government is expected to announce India's top military honour for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down F-16 in an aerial conflict with Pakistan in February 2019.

The government is expected to announce India's top military honour for Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who shot down F-16 in an aerial conflict with Pakistan in February 2019. Abhinandan is likely to be conferred with Vir Chakra which was recommended by the Indian Air Force. The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. Along with Abhinandan, five Mirage-2000 fighter pilots who had dropped bombs on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot in Pakistan, are likely to be awarded Vayu Sena Medal for their act of bravery. According to reports, the list of awardees will be approved by President Ram Nath Kovind on August 14 and the awards will be given on the Independence Day. He was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following an aerial conflict between the two air forces. He was handed over to Indian officials by Pakistan on March 1. The Balakot airstrike was carried out by India in response to the terror attack by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed on February 14. Following the airstrike, Pakistan had violated the Indian airspace on February 27 when Abhinandan had strayed into Pakistani territory after shooting down F-16. (With inputs from agencies)

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman likely to be awarded Vir Chakra on Independence Day

<p>The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-recommending-wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-for-wartime-gallantry-award-vir-chakra-212112">Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman</a> after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier.</p>

<p>Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman’s unit also calls itself "AMRAAM dodgers" as MiG-21 evaded 4-5 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles fired by Pakistani F-16. The Pakistani F-16 is fitted with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with pinpoint strike accuracy which is considered far superior to MiG-21's R-73 missile.</p>

<p>Abhinandan has the unique distinction of being the only pilot in the world to have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bengaluru-artist-creates-typewriter-portrait-of-wing-commander-abhinandan-204743">shot down an F-16 combat</a> aircraft from a MiG-21 Bison aircraft.&nbsp;</p>

<p>IAF had earlier lauded the fighter pilot's exploits in the MiG 21 Bison against the far superior Pakistani F-16 aircraft saying he "hunted the hunter".</p>

<p>Posting a poem on its official Twitter handle @IAF_MCC, 'Sabke Bass Ki Baat Nahi', written by Bipin Allhabadi, the IAF described the fighter pilot's feat as something that is not possible for everyone.</p>

<p>What Abhinandan Varthaman did is not everyone's cup of tea. He hunted the hunter, the poem said.</p>

<p>After being shot down over Pakistan air space during a dogfight with Pakistani jets, Wing Commander Abhinandan spent two days in Pakistan's custody after which he was released, walking through the Attari-Wagah border escorted by Pakistani officials and commandos as India rejoiced.</p>

<p>The Indian Air Force operation took place in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14th in which 40 CRPF soliders were killed. On Februrary 26th, Indian fighter jets led by Mirage 2000 bombed Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) terror camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier.

The Indian Air Force(IAF) has given the "Falcon slayer" patch to Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman after he reportedly shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an air duel on February 27th with the Pakistan Air Force(PAF) post the Balakot strikes a day earlier. Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman’s unit also calls itself "AMRAAM dodgers" as MiG-21 evaded 4-5 AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles fired by Pakistani F-16. The Pakistani F-16 is fitted with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with pinpoint strike accuracy which is considered far superior to MiG-21's R-73 missile. Abhinandan has the unique distinction of being the only pilot in the world to have shot down an F-16 combat aircraft from a MiG-21 Bison aircraft. IAF had earlier lauded the fighter pilot's exploits in the MiG 21 Bison against the far superior Pakistani F-16 aircraft saying he "hunted the hunter". Posting a poem on its official Twitter handle @IAF_MCC, 'Sabke Bass Ki Baat Nahi', written by Bipin Allhabadi, the IAF described the fighter pilot's feat as something that is not possible for everyone. What Abhinandan Varthaman did is not everyone's cup of tea. He hunted the hunter, the poem said. After being shot down over Pakistan air space during a dogfight with Pakistani jets, Wing Commander Abhinandan spent two days in Pakistan's custody after which he was released, walking through the Attari-Wagah border escorted by Pakistani officials and commandos as India rejoiced. The Indian Air Force operation took place in the aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack on February 14th in which 40 CRPF soliders were killed. On Februrary 26th, Indian fighter jets led by Mirage 2000 bombed Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) terror camps in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan.

IAF gives Wing Commander Abhinandan 'falcon slayer' patch for striking down Pak F-16

<p>The India Air Force is recommending <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-pilot-abhinandan-varthaman-returns-to-his-squadron-in-srinagar-205913">Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman</a> for the wartime gallantry medal Vir Chakra for shooting down an F-16 in aerial conflict with Pakistan.</p>

<p>While Abhinandan has been recommended for the Vir Chakra, the 12 Mirage 2000 pilots who bombed targets in Pakistan are being recommended for the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry for their acts of bravery, government sources said.</p>

<p>The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra.</p>

<p>In the meanwhile, amid concerns over Abhinandan's security, the Air Force has posted out the ace fighter pilot from Srinagar to another important air base in the western sector along the Pakistan border.</p>

<p>"The posting order of the officer has been issued and he would soon be moving out of the Srinagar air base to his new place of posting," government sources told ANI.</p>

<p>The new posting (name of the airbase being withheld due to security reasons) is also a fighter base and if the officer is cleared for flying, he would be able to continue his flying duties, the sources added.</p>

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan has the unique distinction of being the only pilot in the world to have shot down an F-16 combat aircraft from his vintage MiG-21 Bison aircraft on February 27 during an aerial conflict with Pakistan.</p>

<p>There were concerns over his security in Srinagar due to the presence of Pakistan-backed terrorist groups including a large number of Pakistani jihadis in the Kashmir valley.</p>

<p>Pakistan has been very upset over the shooting down of its Block 52 F-16 fitted with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with superior strike ranges than the R-73 missile on the MiG-21 which was used by Wing Commander Abhinandan during the aerial fight.</p>

<p>Despite its best attempts to cover up the shooting down of its F-16, the Air Force released radar images and other proofs that showed that the American-built plane was indeed taken out by the Indian pilot.</p>

<p>Earlier this week, Wg Cdr Abhinandan underwent medical tests at a Delhi-based facility for becoming eligible to fly the MiG-21s again. Abhinandan has flown different types of fighter aircraft in the Air Force including the mighty Su-30MKI.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
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The India Air Force is recommending Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman for the wartime gallantry medal Vir Chakra for shooting down an F-16 in aerial conflict with Pakistan.

The India Air Force is recommending Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman for the wartime gallantry medal Vir Chakra for shooting down an F-16 in aerial conflict with Pakistan. While Abhinandan has been recommended for the Vir Chakra, the 12 Mirage 2000 pilots who bombed targets in Pakistan are being recommended for the Vayu Sena Medal for gallantry for their acts of bravery, government sources said. The Vir Chakra is the third highest gallantry award in the military after the Param Vir Chakra and the Mahavir Chakra. In the meanwhile, amid concerns over Abhinandan's security, the Air Force has posted out the ace fighter pilot from Srinagar to another important air base in the western sector along the Pakistan border. "The posting order of the officer has been issued and he would soon be moving out of the Srinagar air base to his new place of posting," government sources told ANI. The new posting (name of the airbase being withheld due to security reasons) is also a fighter base and if the officer is cleared for flying, he would be able to continue his flying duties, the sources added. Wing Commander Abhinandan has the unique distinction of being the only pilot in the world to have shot down an F-16 combat aircraft from his vintage MiG-21 Bison aircraft on February 27 during an aerial conflict with Pakistan. There were concerns over his security in Srinagar due to the presence of Pakistan-backed terrorist groups including a large number of Pakistani jihadis in the Kashmir valley. Pakistan has been very upset over the shooting down of its Block 52 F-16 fitted with AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles with superior strike ranges than the R-73 missile on the MiG-21 which was used by Wing Commander Abhinandan during the aerial fight. Despite its best attempts to cover up the shooting down of its F-16, the Air Force released radar images and other proofs that showed that the American-built plane was indeed taken out by the Indian pilot. Earlier this week, Wg Cdr Abhinandan underwent medical tests at a Delhi-based facility for becoming eligible to fly the MiG-21s again. Abhinandan has flown different types of fighter aircraft in the Air Force including the mighty Su-30MKI.

IAF recommending Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman for wartime gallantry award 'Vir Chakra'

<p>Ever since Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned to a hero`s welcome from Pakistan post the Pulwama operation, his gunslinger moustache and equally suave hairstyle has set a new fad among youngsters across the country.</p>

<p>Now, an artist from Bengaluru has attempted a pay a unique tribute to the IAF pilot. Using a manual typewriter, the artist AC Gurumurthy has typed out letters, symbols, numbers and special characters on the keyboard to flesh out a black and white portrait that closely resembles Varthaman, his swashbuckling moustache intact.</p>

<p>Gurumurthy said he took two hours over a period of two days to finish the portrait.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Unlike heroes in film, Abhinandan is a real hero. He bought real laurels to the country. It has inspired me," said Gurumurthy.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I appreciate his bravery and the night he returned to India, I made this attempt," the artist said.</p>

<p>Incidentally, Gurumurthy has attempted portraits of other leaders and famous personalities in the past using his typewriter.</p>

<p>Previously, he has churned out portraits of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalalitha, Mahatma Gandhi, former US president Barrack Obama, Mother Teresa and other prominent world figures.</p>

<p>It is a delight to see in action, Gurumurthy who used to work in a bank earlier.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The artist uses large scale white sheets and goes clickety clat, using his fingers to repeatedly type on a key sometimes to create eyes, nose, hair and other facial features of the portraits.&nbsp;</p>

<p>As the artist begins his portraits, initially his work resembles a jumble of lines and dots but wait a bit further and a work of art emerges.</p>

<p>The artist said he hopes to enter the Limca Book of Records and Guinness World Records with his feats.</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Ever since Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned to a hero`s welcome from Pakistan post the Pulwama operation, his gunslinger moustache and equally suave hairstyle has set a new fad among youngsters across the country.

Ever since Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman returned to a hero`s welcome from Pakistan post the Pulwama operation, his gunslinger moustache and equally suave hairstyle has set a new fad among youngsters across the country. Now, an artist from Bengaluru has attempted a pay a unique tribute to the IAF pilot. Using a manual typewriter, the artist AC Gurumurthy has typed out letters, symbols, numbers and special characters on the keyboard to flesh out a black and white portrait that closely resembles Varthaman, his swashbuckling moustache intact. Gurumurthy said he took two hours over a period of two days to finish the portrait. "Unlike heroes in film, Abhinandan is a real hero. He bought real laurels to the country. It has inspired me," said Gurumurthy. "I appreciate his bravery and the night he returned to India, I made this attempt," the artist said. Incidentally, Gurumurthy has attempted portraits of other leaders and famous personalities in the past using his typewriter. Previously, he has churned out portraits of former President APJ Abdul Kalam, former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalalitha, Mahatma Gandhi, former US president Barrack Obama, Mother Teresa and other prominent world figures. It is a delight to see in action, Gurumurthy who used to work in a bank earlier. The artist uses large scale white sheets and goes clickety clat, using his fingers to repeatedly type on a key sometimes to create eyes, nose, hair and other facial features of the portraits. As the artist begins his portraits, initially his work resembles a jumble of lines and dots but wait a bit further and a work of art emerges. The artist said he hopes to enter the Limca Book of Records and Guinness World Records with his feats.

Bengaluru artist creates typewriter portrait of Wing Commander Abhinandan

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rafale-review-petition-security-of-state-supersedes-everything-government-tells-supreme-court-203317">Rafale review petition: 'Security of state supersedes everything,' government tells Supreme Court</a></p>

<p>Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court Thursday that the "security of state supersedes everything". The court is hearing a review petition of its earlier judgement in the Rafale case which had said the deal did not need to be investigated for corruption.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The review petition has been filed by former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, and the lawyer Prashant Bhushan.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-leader-donald-tusk-backs-long-delay-if-britain-rethinks-brexit-203291">EU's Donald Tusk backs 'long' delay if Britain 'rethinks' Brexit</a></p>

<p>EU leader Donald Tusk said Thursday that European capitals could approve a long delay to Brexit, in a last-ditch push to persuade Prime Minister Theresa May to change her negotiating red lines. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>During consultations ahead of next week's EU summit, Tusk said he "will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it."</p>

<p><br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sp-bsp-will-have-joint-rallies-in-uttar-pradesh-says-akhilesh-203316">Lok Sabha polls: SP &amp; BSP will hold joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh, says Akhilesh</a></p>

<p>In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP will hold joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said here on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>'We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh,' he told ANI in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wing-commander-abhinandans-debiefing-complete-he-will-now-go-on-sick-leave-iaf-sources-203327">Wing Commander Abhinandan's debriefing complete, he will now go on sick leave: IAF sources</a></p>

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathaman's debriefing is now complete, Indian Air Force sources said on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news agency ANI quoted the sources as saying Abhinandan will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-malaysian-schools-shut-after-toxic-waste-dump-203324">Over 100 Malaysian schools shut after </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-malaysian-schools-shut-after-toxic-waste-dump-203324">toxic</a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-malaysian-schools-shut-after-toxic-waste-dump-203324"> waste dump</a></p>

<p>Over 100 schools in Malaysia have been closed after the dumping of toxic waste into a river caused hundreds of people to fall ill, including many children, authorities said.</p>

<p>A lorry is believed to have dumped the waste in southern Johor state last week, sending hazardous fumes across a wide area and causing those affected to display symptoms of poisoning such as nausea and vomiting.</p>


Rafale review petition: 'Security of state supersedes everything,' government tells Supreme Court Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court Thursday that the "security of state supersedes everything".

Rafale review petition: 'Security of state supersedes everything,' government tells Supreme Court Attorney General KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court Thursday that the "security of state supersedes everything". The court is hearing a review petition of its earlier judgement in the Rafale case which had said the deal did not need to be investigated for corruption. The review petition has been filed by former union ministers Arun Shourie and Yashwant Sinha, and the lawyer Prashant Bhushan. EU's Donald Tusk backs 'long' delay if Britain 'rethinks' Brexit EU leader Donald Tusk said Thursday that European capitals could approve a long delay to Brexit, in a last-ditch push to persuade Prime Minister Theresa May to change her negotiating red lines. During consultations ahead of next week's EU summit, Tusk said he "will appeal to the EU27 to be open to a long extension if the UK finds it necessary to rethink its Brexit strategy and build consensus around it." Lok Sabha polls: SP & BSP will hold joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh, says Akhilesh In Uttar Pradesh, the SP and BSP will hold joint election rallies during the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav said here on Thursday. 'We have planned joint rallies in Uttar Pradesh,' he told ANI in reply to a question about what transpired in his meeting with BSP president Mayawati on Wednesday. Wing Commander Abhinandan's debriefing complete, he will now go on sick leave: IAF sources Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathaman's debriefing is now complete, Indian Air Force sources said on Thursday. The news agency ANI quoted the sources as saying Abhinandan will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. Over 100 Malaysian schools shut after toxic waste dump Over 100 schools in Malaysia have been closed after the dumping of toxic waste into a river caused hundreds of people to fall ill, including many children, authorities said. A lorry is believed to have dumped the waste in southern Johor state last week, sending hazardous fumes across a wide area and causing those affected to display symptoms of poisoning such as nausea and vomiting.

News brief: Big stories of the day

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/defence-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-meets-wing-commander-abhinandan-he-is-currently-undergoing-cooling-process-200730">Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathaman's debriefing</a> is now complete, Indian Air Force sources said on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news agency ANI quoted the sources as saying Abhinandan will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abhinandan's MiG-21 Bison had been shot down over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on February 27, a day after the IAF's air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunwa province.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In retaliation, Pakistan had on February 27 dropped bombs on Indian territory from its side of the Line of Control. Indian authorities said the bombs had been aimed at military installations but that they had missed their targets.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Indian jets had been scrambled to give chase to the Pakistanis.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan's MiG-21 had been one of them.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wc-abhinandan-piloted-mig-21-bison-shot-down-pak-f-16-have-electronic-evidence-mea-202214">Abhinandan shot down a Pakistani F-16</a>, before being shot down himself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abhinandan was captured in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and spent two nights in Pakistani custody before being released.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Abhinandan was being released as a "peace gesture". (Abhinandan's release very quickly de-escalated tensions between the two countries.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>After his release, Abhinandan was kept at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi where he underwent a series of medical tests as part of a "cooling down" process.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">IAF Sources: A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of Wing Commander <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbhinandanVarthaman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbhinandanVarthaman</a> and decide on when can he resume his operations as a fighter pilot. <a href="https://t.co/B4DAZR4jhY">https://t.co/B4DAZR4jhY</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1106147562267033602?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>On Thursday, the IAF sources said a medical review board will assess Abhinandan in the near future and decide when he can resume his flying duties.&nbsp;</p>

<p><br />
&nbsp;</p>


Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathaman's debriefing is now complete, Indian Air Force sources said on Thursday. The news agency ANI quoted the sources as saying Abhinandan will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varathaman's debriefing is now complete, Indian Air Force sources said on Thursday. The news agency ANI quoted the sources as saying Abhinandan will now go on sick leave for a few weeks on the advice of doctors at the army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. Abhinandan's MiG-21 Bison had been shot down over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on February 27, a day after the IAF's air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunwa province. In retaliation, Pakistan had on February 27 dropped bombs on Indian territory from its side of the Line of Control. Indian authorities said the bombs had been aimed at military installations but that they had missed their targets. Indian jets had been scrambled to give chase to the Pakistanis. Wing Commander Abhinandan's MiG-21 had been one of them. Abhinandan shot down a Pakistani F-16, before being shot down himself. Abhinandan was captured in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and spent two nights in Pakistani custody before being released. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan said Abhinandan was being released as a "peace gesture". (Abhinandan's release very quickly de-escalated tensions between the two countries.) After his release, Abhinandan was kept at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi where he underwent a series of medical tests as part of a "cooling down" process. IAF Sources: A medical review board in the near future will assess the medical fitness of Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman and decide on when can he resume his operations as a fighter pilot. https://t.co/B4DAZR4jhY — ANI (@ANI) March 14, 2019 × On Thursday, the IAF sources said a medical review board will assess Abhinandan in the near future and decide when he can resume his flying duties.

Wing Commander Abhinandan's debriefing complete, he will now go on sick leave: IAF sources

<p>In this very column, along with the whole nation, I had wondered what India’s response would be to the Pulwama suicide terrorist blast. On the afternoon of 14 February, about 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives in the bombing. Twelve days later, on 26 February, India carried out a retaliatory assault. The Indian Air Force targeted the training camps of terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. Jaish, we may recall, had claimed responsibility for the ghastly suicide bombing at Pulwama.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, the exact damage and the resultant casualty figures from India’s counter-attack are not entirely clear. There are conflicting reports in international and national media on the quantum of destruction inflicted by the satellite-guided SPICE 2000 bombs that our Mirage 2000s released. Thankfully, our brave IAF officer, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, returned home safely, despite being taken captive and withstanding hazardous interrogation by the Pakistan Army.</p>

<p>One thing that stands out loud and clear is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve, when struck, to hit back hard at targets deep inside our hostile neighbour’s territory. Yet, among the several unanswered issues that remain perhaps the most troubling is the possible intelligence failure. Not only were we proved vulnerable to the terrorist attack, but were unable to prevent it once some prior warnings about it, as claimed, were received. How could our 78-vehicle convey, carrying 2500 troops, travelling on a four-lane highway with multiple check-points be so brazenly knocked out by a single suicide bomber and his explosive-laden SUV? How was such a large cache of ammo loaded onto to a vehicle without detection? We are not privy to the outcome of the post-mortem investigations. All we can do is hope that our Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has plugged the loopholes to prevent such an atrocity from recurring.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>One welcome step is the banning of organisations like the Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir. Abul Ala Maududi, one of the foremost theologians and philosophers of political Islam in recent times, founded the Jamaat in 1941. He was the real progenitor of the ideology of Islamist theocracy that created and shaped Pakistan. Maududi offered a modernist justification for Islamic revival and state formation. Despite splits in the organisation following the Partition in 1947, Jamaat-e-Islamis are active all over the sub-continent and beyond. What all these groups have in common are Islamist political ambitions underwritten by theological and religious justifications.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The J&amp;K chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami began in 1945 with pro-Pakistan leanings. Later, it stopped fighting elections, instead projecting itself as a “socio-religious” organisation. It controls and manages hundreds of madrasas (religious schools) and other so-called charitable and welfare organisations in J&amp;K. The Jamaat was a founder member of the Hurriyat Conference. Even today, after distancing itself from the Hurriyat, it maintains what many believe is its core Islamic and separatist ideology. The extent of its responsibility in brainwashing the Kashmiri youth must be immense. Though the organisation is banned today, its schools are still open and active. The Government, wary of its links with separatists and militants, has moved, several decades too late, at last to curtain its activities. No surprise that both the National Conference and the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have protested against these measures. Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief, even led a protest rally on 6th March against the ban. That should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind where her sympathies or interests lie.</p>

<p>But the real question in the aftermath of these dramatic events is if there is a new normal in the Indo-Pakistan stand-off. Surely the retaliatory strike is not enough. What we need is a totally new approach to the problem. It is holding the Pakistani state accountable for what its “non-state” actors do. Our only other option is to use low-cost non-state actors ourselves, but in the long run such stratagems will hurt us too, as they have Pakistan. These ugly and violent monsters easily turn against their own makers and keepers. Instead, if India targets the Pakistani state each time we are hit by a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist group, the spotlight will once again turn to Pakistan as a rogue state, with the military and ISI as the controllers of its cross-border interference and aggression.</p>

<p>Pakistan, whether militarily or economically, is no match for India. Nor can it counterbalance these disadvantages diplomatically. The result of every skirmish, even if inconclusive, is that Pakistan will be weakened and exposed. Holding the Pakistani state responsible for terrorist activities against India and improving our intelligence operations within Pakistan is the way forward.</p>

<p><em>(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-should-india-hold-pakistan-responsible-for-its-non-state-actors-2727739">original article</a>)</em></p>

<p><em>(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)</em></p>


In this very column, along with the whole nation, I had wondered what India’s response would be to the Pulwama suicide terrorist blast. On the afternoon of 14 February, about 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives in the bombing.

In this very column, along with the whole nation, I had wondered what India’s response would be to the Pulwama suicide terrorist blast. On the afternoon of 14 February, about 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives in the bombing. Twelve days later, on 26 February, India carried out a retaliatory assault. The Indian Air Force targeted the training camps of terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed in Balakot. Jaish, we may recall, had claimed responsibility for the ghastly suicide bombing at Pulwama. However, the exact damage and the resultant casualty figures from India’s counter-attack are not entirely clear. There are conflicting reports in international and national media on the quantum of destruction inflicted by the satellite-guided SPICE 2000 bombs that our Mirage 2000s released. Thankfully, our brave IAF officer, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, returned home safely, despite being taken captive and withstanding hazardous interrogation by the Pakistan Army. One thing that stands out loud and clear is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s resolve, when struck, to hit back hard at targets deep inside our hostile neighbour’s territory. Yet, among the several unanswered issues that remain perhaps the most troubling is the possible intelligence failure. Not only were we proved vulnerable to the terrorist attack, but were unable to prevent it once some prior warnings about it, as claimed, were received. How could our 78-vehicle convey, carrying 2500 troops, travelling on a four-lane highway with multiple check-points be so brazenly knocked out by a single suicide bomber and his explosive-laden SUV? How was such a large cache of ammo loaded onto to a vehicle without detection? We are not privy to the outcome of the post-mortem investigations. All we can do is hope that our Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has plugged the loopholes to prevent such an atrocity from recurring. One welcome step is the banning of organisations like the Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir. Abul Ala Maududi, one of the foremost theologians and philosophers of political Islam in recent times, founded the Jamaat in 1941. He was the real progenitor of the ideology of Islamist theocracy that created and shaped Pakistan. Maududi offered a modernist justification for Islamic revival and state formation. Despite splits in the organisation following the Partition in 1947, Jamaat-e-Islamis are active all over the sub-continent and beyond. What all these groups have in common are Islamist political ambitions underwritten by theological and religious justifications. The J&K chapter of the Jamaat-e-Islami began in 1945 with pro-Pakistan leanings. Later, it stopped fighting elections, instead projecting itself as a “socio-religious” organisation. It controls and manages hundreds of madrasas (religious schools) and other so-called charitable and welfare organisations in J&K. The Jamaat was a founder member of the Hurriyat Conference. Even today, after distancing itself from the Hurriyat, it maintains what many believe is its core Islamic and separatist ideology. The extent of its responsibility in brainwashing the Kashmiri youth must be immense. Though the organisation is banned today, its schools are still open and active. The Government, wary of its links with separatists and militants, has moved, several decades too late, at last to curtain its activities. No surprise that both the National Conference and the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have protested against these measures. Mehbooba Mufti, PDP chief, even led a protest rally on 6th March against the ban. That should leave no doubt in anyone’s mind where her sympathies or interests lie. But the real question in the aftermath of these dramatic events is if there is a new normal in the Indo-Pakistan stand-off. Surely the retaliatory strike is not enough. What we need is a totally new approach to the problem. It is holding the Pakistani state accountable for what its “non-state” actors do. Our only other option is to use low-cost non-state actors ourselves, but in the long run such stratagems will hurt us too, as they have Pakistan. These ugly and violent monsters easily turn against their own makers and keepers. Instead, if India targets the Pakistani state each time we are hit by a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist group, the spotlight will once again turn to Pakistan as a rogue state, with the military and ISI as the controllers of its cross-border interference and aggression. Pakistan, whether militarily or economically, is no match for India. Nor can it counterbalance these disadvantages diplomatically. The result of every skirmish, even if inconclusive, is that Pakistan will be weakened and exposed. Holding the Pakistani state responsible for terrorist activities against India and improving our intelligence operations within Pakistan is the way forward. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Should India hold Pakistan responsible for its non-state actors?

<p>Continuing with its poetic praise on its personnel, the Indian Air Force on Sunday described Wing Commander <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-not-face-any-physical-torture-but-went-through-a-lot-of-mental-harassment-abhinandan-on-his-captivity-in-pakistan-200734">Abhinandan Varthaman</a> as someone who "hunted the hunter".</p>

<p>Posting a poem on its official Twitter handle @IAF_MCC, 'Sabke Bass Ki Baat Nahi', written by Bipin Allhabadi, the IAF described the fighter pilot's feat as something that is not possible for everyone.</p>

<p>What Abhinandan Varthaman did is not everyone's cup of tea. He hunted the hunter, the Hindi poem read.</p>

<p>Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14.</p>

<p>India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 and captured Varthaman.</p>

<p>However, in the air fight, the Air Force pilot had also shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet.</p>

<p>After his capture and subsequent release, the Air Force pilot became an overnight sensation across the country.</p>

<p>On Friday, the IAF had tweeted another poem by the same poet 'Hadd Sarhad Ki', whose lines can be construed as a jibe at Islamabad.&nbsp;</p>


Continuing with its poetic praise on its personnel, the Indian Air Force on Sunday described Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as someone who "hunted the hunter".

Continuing with its poetic praise on its personnel, the Indian Air Force on Sunday described Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman as someone who "hunted the hunter". Posting a poem on its official Twitter handle @IAF_MCC, 'Sabke Bass Ki Baat Nahi', written by Bipin Allhabadi, the IAF described the fighter pilot's feat as something that is not possible for everyone. What Abhinandan Varthaman did is not everyone's cup of tea. He hunted the hunter, the Hindi poem read. Tensions between India and Pakistan flared up after a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14. India launched a counter-terror operation in Balakot on February 26. The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 and captured Varthaman. However, in the air fight, the Air Force pilot had also shot down Pakistan's F-16 fighter jet. After his capture and subsequent release, the Air Force pilot became an overnight sensation across the country. On Friday, the IAF had tweeted another poem by the same poet 'Hadd Sarhad Ki', whose lines can be construed as a jibe at Islamabad.

You hunted the hunter: IAF praises Wing Commander Abhinandan

<p>An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-not-face-any-physical-torture-but-went-through-a-lot-of-mental-harassment-abhinandan-on-his-captivity-in-pakistan-200734">Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman</a>, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts as well as electronic evidence for it, the Ministry of External Affairs said Saturday.</p>

<p>It also said evidence on the use of F-16 fighter jets by Pakistan is there in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile recovered from the site, which is carried only by F-16 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force.</p>

<p>Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/wing-commander-abhinandan-varthaman-doesnt-have-social-media-accounts-iaf-clarifies-in-tweet-cautious-against-misinformation-201629">Wing Commander Varthaman</a>, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence for it.</p>

<p>In the aerial combat, India had lost the MiG-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Varthaman was captured by Pakistan.</p>

<p>Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets, and rejected IAF's assertion that an F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight.</p>

<p>"Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week?&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down.</p>

<p>Official sources had earlier said Varthaman downed an F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force by firing an R-73 air-to-air missile before his MiG-21 Bison was hit during a fierce dogfight.</p>


An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts as well as electronic evidence for it, the Ministry of External Affairs said Saturday.

An Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts as well as electronic evidence for it, the Ministry of External Affairs said Saturday. It also said evidence on the use of F-16 fighter jets by Pakistan is there in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile recovered from the site, which is carried only by F-16 aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, said an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence for it. In the aerial combat, India had lost the MiG-21 Bison aircraft and its pilot Wing Commander Varthaman was captured by Pakistan. Pakistan claimed it downed two Indian jets, and rejected IAF's assertion that an F-16 aircraft was shot down by it during the dogfight. "Only one aircraft was lost by us. If, as Pakistan claims, they have a video recording of the downing of a second Indian aircraft, why have they not shown it to the international media even after more than one week? "Questions should be asked to them as to where the fuselage of the aircraft is and what has happened to the pilots? As we have already said, there are eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence that Pakistan deployed F-16 aircraft and that one F-16 was shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan," Kumar said. He said Pakistan should explain why it continues to deny that its F-16 aircraft has been shot down. Official sources had earlier said Varthaman downed an F-16 fighter jet of Pakistan Air Force by firing an R-73 air-to-air missile before his MiG-21 Bison was hit during a fierce dogfight.

Abhinandan shot down Pakistani F-16, have electronic evidence: MEA

<p>The Indian Air Force on Wednesday tweeted out reiterating that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is not present across social media platforms.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The tweet also brought to light the existence of six fake social media accounts in Captain Varthaman's name.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Fake Accounts: Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman does not have a social media account on any portal (Facebook /Instagram /Twitter). Please avoid following any fake accounts being used in the name of any IAF Airwarrior for spreading misinformation. Jai Hind!!!" the tweet read.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The force also stated that misinformation on the shooting of Pakistan Air Force F-16 by MiG-21 Bison is also being spread on various social media sites.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FAKE?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FAKE</a> ACCOUNTS : Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman does not have a social media account on any portal (Facebook /Instagram /Twitter). Please avoid following any fake accounts being used in the name of any IAF Airwarrior for spreading misinformation.<br />
Jai Hind!!! <a href="https://t.co/nG8C7ZUkQ6">pic.twitter.com/nG8C7ZUkQ6</a></p>
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1103203607594369024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"IAF during the press statement on 28 Feb 2019 had clarified that one F-16 of Pakistan Air Force was shot by MiG-21 Bison and it fell across the LoC," news agency ANI carried IAF statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After almost three days of custody, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman crossed the Wagah-Attari border last Friday and walked over to India amid heavy security.</p>

<p>The Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was shot down when he was involved in a dogfight with Pakistani jets after it entered Indian airspace last Wednesday. Wg Cdr Abhinandan was apprehended by the Pakistani Army even as India declared that it won't negotiate his release.</p>


The Indian Air Force on Wednesday tweeted out reiterating that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is not present across social media platforms. The tweet also brought to light the existence of six fake social media accounts in Captain Varthaman's name.

The Indian Air Force on Wednesday tweeted out reiterating that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman is not present across social media platforms. The tweet also brought to light the existence of six fake social media accounts in Captain Varthaman's name. "Fake Accounts: Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman does not have a social media account on any portal (Facebook /Instagram /Twitter). Please avoid following any fake accounts being used in the name of any IAF Airwarrior for spreading misinformation. Jai Hind!!!" the tweet read. The force also stated that misinformation on the shooting of Pakistan Air Force F-16 by MiG-21 Bison is also being spread on various social media sites. #FAKE ACCOUNTS : Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman does not have a social media account on any portal (Facebook /Instagram /Twitter). Please avoid following any fake accounts being used in the name of any IAF Airwarrior for spreading misinformation. Jai Hind!!! pic.twitter.com/nG8C7ZUkQ6 — Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) March 6, 2019 × "IAF during the press statement on 28 Feb 2019 had clarified that one F-16 of Pakistan Air Force was shot by MiG-21 Bison and it fell across the LoC," news agency ANI carried IAF statement. After almost three days of custody, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman crossed the Wagah-Attari border last Friday and walked over to India amid heavy security. The Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was shot down when he was involved in a dogfight with Pakistani jets after it entered Indian airspace last Wednesday. Wg Cdr Abhinandan was apprehended by the Pakistani Army even as India declared that it won't negotiate his release.

Abhinandan Varthaman doesn't have social media accounts: IAF clarifies in tweet, cautious against misinformation

<p>India's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has become a national hero after his return from Pakistani custody. He was received by the Indian Air Force (IAF) team and the countrymen at the Wagah-Attari border on 1st March.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Several Bollywood celebrities and famous personalities expressed their happiness on Twitter. Among all, Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, who is married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, also shared a heartwarming post for Abhinandan following his return to India.</p>

<p>Taking to her Twitter handle, Mirza welcomed the brave soldier by writing, &nbsp;"Welcome back Wing Commander Abhinandan .. you are our HERO in the truest sense.. The country salutes you and the bravery and dignity you..Welcome Back Abinandan Jai Hind."</p>

<p>However, Sania's post soon saw a string of tweets, both from Indian and Pakistani users, trolling the Tennis star.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Here are some of the reactions:</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="in">Bhaaabiii... Ap bhi???<br />
😂<br />
We did just for you..<br />
Mekay ana Jana lga rahy takay 😇😂</p>
— Kiran Khan🇵🇰 (@light_frmheaven) <a href="https://twitter.com/light_frmheaven/status/1101529458765455360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="tl">bhabi Rocked Shoaib Shocked</p>
— RehmaN HameeD (@IamRHB) <a href="https://twitter.com/IamRHB/status/1101473439171387393?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jantey hain yeh tweet kerna apki majboori thi... <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbhinandanReturns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbhinandanReturns</a> after a failed attempt! 😅</p>
— Syeda Bushra Aamir بشریٰ (@BushraAamir) <a href="https://twitter.com/BushraAamir/status/1101487258421608448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 1, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Looks like you never saw a “hero” in your life. Feel sorry for you</p>
— Hina Jawaid (@DrHJawaid) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrHJawaid/status/1101783371171155968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="hi">Susral walo sath gardari bhabhi😑😂😂😂</p>
— Dija Rana (@Khadijarana11) <a href="https://twitter.com/Khadijarana11/status/1101816481728348160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I think you forgot to say "Thank you Pakistan"...!🤔 Pakistan released your Hero 😂.</p>
— Umair Niaz (@umairniaz506) <a href="https://twitter.com/umairniaz506/status/1102281341738061825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Abhinandan Varthman, was captured by the Pakistani Forces after his fighter jet crashed while sending off Pakistani aircraft back during an attempt to airstrike.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Soon things went out of control and before his jet crashed, he was forced to eject which made him land across the Line of Control.</p>

<p>A medical examination of the Wing Commander has identified a rib injury probably caused by an assault by local residents in Pakistan soon after he parachuted across the border.</p>


India's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has become a national hero after his return from Pakistani custody. He was received by the Indian Air Force (IAF) team and the countrymen at the Wagah-Attari border on 1st March.

India's Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has become a national hero after his return from Pakistani custody. He was received by the Indian Air Force (IAF) team and the countrymen at the Wagah-Attari border on 1st March. Several Bollywood celebrities and famous personalities expressed their happiness on Twitter. Among all, Indian tennis player Sania Mirza, who is married to Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Malik, also shared a heartwarming post for Abhinandan following his return to India. Taking to her Twitter handle, Mirza welcomed the brave soldier by writing, "Welcome back Wing Commander Abhinandan .. you are our HERO in the truest sense.. The country salutes you and the bravery and dignity you..Welcome Back Abinandan Jai Hind." However, Sania's post soon saw a string of tweets, both from Indian and Pakistani users, trolling the Tennis star. Here are some of the reactions: Bhaaabiii... Ap bhi??? 😂 We did just for you.. Mekay ana Jana lga rahy takay 😇😂 — Kiran Khan🇵🇰 (@light_frmheaven) March 1, 2019 × bhabi Rocked Shoaib Shocked — RehmaN HameeD (@IamRHB) March 1, 2019 × Jantey hain yeh tweet kerna apki majboori thi... #AbhinandanReturns after a failed attempt! 😅 — Syeda Bushra Aamir بشریٰ (@BushraAamir) March 1, 2019 × Looks like you never saw a “hero” in your life. Feel sorry for you — Hina Jawaid (@DrHJawaid) March 2, 2019 × Susral walo sath gardari bhabhi😑😂😂😂 — Dija Rana (@Khadijarana11) March 2, 2019 × I think you forgot to say "Thank you Pakistan"...!🤔 Pakistan released your Hero 😂. — Umair Niaz (@umairniaz506) March 3, 2019 × Abhinandan Varthman, was captured by the Pakistani Forces after his fighter jet crashed while sending off Pakistani aircraft back during an attempt to airstrike. Soon things went out of control and before his jet crashed, he was forced to eject which made him land across the Line of Control. A medical examination of the Wing Commander has identified a rib injury probably caused by an assault by local residents in Pakistan soon after he parachuted across the border.

Sania Mirza tweets on IAF pilot Abhinandan's return, hilariously trolled by India, Pak users

<p>Indian Air Force(IAF) chief BS Dhanoa spoke to the media for the first time since <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/air-strikes-on-terror-launchpads-meticulous-planning-led-to-successful-air-force-mission-199830">Mirage 2000 air strikes</a> on&nbsp;Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system," India's air chief said, adding,"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-not-face-any-physical-torture-but-went-through-a-lot-of-mental-harassment-abhinandan-on-his-captivity-in-pakistan-200734">Wing Commander Abhinandan</a> will fly again if fit."</p>

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan was released by Pakistan authorities on Friday after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down as he was involved in a dogfight with Pakistani F-16&nbsp;last Wednesday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Whether Wing Commander Abhinandan flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment required, will be given. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Mig-21 Bison, says, "One is a planned operation in which you plan &amp; carry out.But when an adversary does a strike on you, every available aircraft goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is. All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy" <a href="https://t.co/B2mZQTLBRd">pic.twitter.com/B2mZQTLBRd</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1102468153446150144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>"We hit the target at Balakot," Dhanoa told reporters, adding,"the Air Force doesn’t calculate casualty numbers, the government does that."</p>

<p>"The target has been clearly amplified by the foreign secretary in his statement. If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pak PM Imran Khan) have responded, if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond," the air chief asked reporters when asked about Indian jets hitting the target at Balakot on February 26th.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/crossing-the-rubicon-many-pakistani-nationals-have-paid-a-heavy-price-for-exposing-army-and-jihadi-connect-201007">Also Read:&nbsp;Many Pakistani nationals have paid a heavy price for exposing army and jihadi connect</a></p>

<p>"We fight with all aircraft's in our inventory," he said.&nbsp; Dhanoa stressed that operations were still ongoing, therefore he won't comment on the issue at present.</p>

<p>On the Rafale fighter jets, the air chief said it would be inducted into the Air Force in September.<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Indian Air Force(IAF) chief BS Dhanoa spoke to the media for the first time since Mirage 2000 air strikes on Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. "Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system," India's air chief said, adding,"Wing Commander Abhinandan will fly again if fit.

Indian Air Force(IAF) chief BS Dhanoa spoke to the media for the first time since Mirage 2000 air strikes on Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. "Mig-21 Bison is a capable aircraft, it has been upgraded, it has better radar, air-to air missiles and better weapons system," India's air chief said, adding,"Wing Commander Abhinandan will fly again if fit." Wing Commander Abhinandan was released by Pakistan authorities on Friday after his MiG-21 Bison was shot down as he was involved in a dogfight with Pakistani F-16 last Wednesday. "Whether Wing Commander Abhinandan flies or not depends on his medical fitness. That's why post ejection, he has undergone medical check. Whatever treatment required, will be given. Once we get his medical fitness, he will get into fighter cockpit." #WATCH Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa on Mig-21 Bison, says, "One is a planned operation in which you plan & carry out.But when an adversary does a strike on you, every available aircraft goes in, irrespective of which aircraft it is. All aircraft are capable of fighting the enemy" pic.twitter.com/B2mZQTLBRd — ANI (@ANI) March 4, 2019 × "We hit the target at Balakot," Dhanoa told reporters, adding,"the Air Force doesn’t calculate casualty numbers, the government does that." "The target has been clearly amplified by the foreign secretary in his statement. If we plan to hit the target, we hit the target, otherwise why would he (Pak PM Imran Khan) have responded, if we dropped bombs in the jungles why would he respond," the air chief asked reporters when asked about Indian jets hitting the target at Balakot on February 26th. Also Read: Many Pakistani nationals have paid a heavy price for exposing army and jihadi connect "We fight with all aircraft's in our inventory," he said. Dhanoa stressed that operations were still ongoing, therefore he won't comment on the issue at present. On the Rafale fighter jets, the air chief said it would be inducted into the Air Force in September.

We hit the target at Balakot, Wing Commander Abhinandan will fly again if fit: IAF chief Dhanoa

<p>Congress leader Salman Khurshid faced extreme criticism over his post on Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman where he tried to take credit over the IAF pilot's confidence and valour exhibited during his captivity in Pakistan.</p>

<p>In a Twitter post on Saturday Khurshid wrote, "Many kudos for Wing Commander abhi Varthaman the face of India’s resistance to enemy aggression. Great poise and confidence in face of adversity. We are proud that he received his wings in 2004 and matured as fighter pilot during UPA".</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Many kudos for Wing Commander abhi Varthaman the face of India’s resistance to enemy aggression. Great poise and confidence in face of adversity. We are proud that he received his wings in 2004 and matured as fighter pilot during UPA</p>
— Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) <a href="https://twitter.com/salman7khurshid/status/1101855994148204544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>His post received massive criticism from people on social media.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sure :) ! Let me tell u what else happened under UPA😡<br />
BOMB BLASTS IN :-<br />
Delhi 2005<br />
Varanasi &amp; MumbaiTrains 2006<br />
Lucknow Varanasi Faizabad Triple Strikes + Hyderabad 2007<br />
Jaipur Blore Ahdbad Delhi Two Blasts Agartala Imphal Assam 2008<br />
Assam 2009<br />
Pune Varanasi 2010<br />
Contd....</p>
— India 🇮🇳 First (@SeCoolar_Right) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeCoolar_Right/status/1101915009053908994?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mumbai Delhi 2011<br />
Pune 2012<br />
Hyderabad Blore BodhGaya Patna Jalpaiguri 2013<br />
<br />
TERROR ATTACKS IN :-<br />
Bangalore Instt of Science 2005 LeT<br />
Rampur CRPF camp 2008 LeT<br />
Mumbai 26/11 2008 LeT<br />
Delhi on Israeli Diplomats 2012<br />
Srinagar 2013<br />
<br />
If u have the guts <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TakeTheBlame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TakeTheBlame</a> For this😡<br />
contd..</p>
— India 🇮🇳 First (@SeCoolar_Right) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeCoolar_Right/status/1101916979827359744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Compare this with Terror Incidents under <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> Govt from 2014-till date :-<br />
Only Kashmir is affected while the rest of India has not seen a single terror incident &amp; we all know why-bcoz UPA = <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/UnitedPakistaniAlliance?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#UnitedPakistaniAlliance</a> !<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ModiFor2019?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ModiFor2019</a> for a TERROR FREE INDIA<a href="https://twitter.com/TajinderBagga?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TajinderBagga</a></p>
— India 🇮🇳 First (@SeCoolar_Right) <a href="https://twitter.com/SeCoolar_Right/status/1101917700404600837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/VJZfAiyzOt">pic.twitter.com/VJZfAiyzOt</a></p>
— shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) <a href="https://twitter.com/shilpitewari/status/1101909785782378498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">You should have also said that this enemy was created by Great Nehru in 1947 so that Abhinandan could fight with them in 2019....😂<br />
<br />
What a farsightedness he had....</p>
— मेरा नाम 🤡 (@uZruuDohin5gTKW) <a href="https://twitter.com/uZruuDohin5gTKW/status/1101882999145029632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">What next? Wing Cmdr Abhinandan was born in 1983, so all credit to Indira Gandhi for his birth?</p>
— Shefali Vaidya ஷெஃபாலி வைத்யா शेफाली वैद्य (@ShefVaidya) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShefVaidya/status/1102051906975723521?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thanks to rahulji (pilot wale) who taught him to fly the planes. 👏👏👏👏</p>
— abhishek mishra (@indabhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/indabhi/status/1101878385888907264?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Wah!! Chacha, only Rahul Gandhi failed to mature during UPA regime!!</p>
— Ashish Patil (@imashpatil) <a href="https://twitter.com/imashpatil/status/1101879487153745923?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Maybe you forgot to add that he was flying an outdated MiG also because of UPA</p>
— Iswaran N.P. 🇮🇳 (@NPIswaran) <a href="https://twitter.com/NPIswaran/status/1101889488026886144?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"...Also I must add, I'm forever indebted to UPA" He said this in that video which the Pakistanis made. They had to edit it out due to time constraints</p>
— Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/GabbbarSingh/status/1101886564357959682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Thanks to UPA I completed my engineering in 2006. 🙄<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/thinklikecongressmoron?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#thinklikecongressmoron</a></p>
— lalit mohan (@vlalit) <a href="https://twitter.com/vlalit/status/1101996667862048770?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>After attracting criticism on the social media for "taking credit", Khurshid Sunday said that he had only "stated the truth".</p>

<p>"I had said that he (the pilot) joined the IAF during our tenure. I had only stated the truth," he told reporters.</p>

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between the two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He was released from Pakistani custody on Friday night and was shifted to&nbsp;the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abhinandan is currently undergoing a series of medical tests.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from PTI)</em></p>


Congress leader Salman Khurshid faced extreme criticism over his post on Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman where he tried to take credit over the IAF pilot's confidence and valour exhibited during his captivity in Pakistan.

Congress leader Salman Khurshid faced extreme criticism over his post on Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman where he tried to take credit over the IAF pilot's confidence and valour exhibited during his captivity in Pakistan. In a Twitter post on Saturday Khurshid wrote, "Many kudos for Wing Commander abhi Varthaman the face of India’s resistance to enemy aggression. Great poise and confidence in face of adversity. We are proud that he received his wings in 2004 and matured as fighter pilot during UPA". Many kudos for Wing Commander abhi Varthaman the face of India’s resistance to enemy aggression. Great poise and confidence in face of adversity. We are proud that he received his wings in 2004 and matured as fighter pilot during UPA — Salman Khurshid (@salman7khurshid) March 2, 2019 × His post received massive criticism from people on social media. Sure :) ! Let me tell u what else happened under UPA😡 BOMB BLASTS IN :- Delhi 2005 Varanasi & MumbaiTrains 2006 Lucknow Varanasi Faizabad Triple Strikes + Hyderabad 2007 Jaipur Blore Ahdbad Delhi Two Blasts Agartala Imphal Assam 2008 Assam 2009 Pune Varanasi 2010 Contd.... — India 🇮🇳 First (@SeCoolar_Right) March 2, 2019 × Mumbai Delhi 2011 Pune 2012 Hyderabad Blore BodhGaya Patna Jalpaiguri 2013 TERROR ATTACKS IN :- Bangalore Instt of Science 2005 LeT Rampur CRPF camp 2008 LeT Mumbai 26/11 2008 LeT Delhi on Israeli Diplomats 2012 Srinagar 2013 If u have the guts #TakeTheBlame For this😡 contd.. — India 🇮🇳 First (@SeCoolar_Right) March 2, 2019 × Compare this with Terror Incidents under @narendramodi Govt from 2014-till date :- Only Kashmir is affected while the rest of India has not seen a single terror incident & we all know why-bcoz UPA = #UnitedPakistaniAlliance !#ModiFor2019 for a TERROR FREE INDIA@TajinderBagga — India 🇮🇳 First (@SeCoolar_Right) March 2, 2019 × pic.twitter.com/VJZfAiyzOt — shilpi tewari (@shilpitewari) March 2, 2019 × You should have also said that this enemy was created by Great Nehru in 1947 so that Abhinandan could fight with them in 2019....😂 What a farsightedness he had.... — मेरा नाम 🤡 (@uZruuDohin5gTKW) March 2, 2019 × What next? Wing Cmdr Abhinandan was born in 1983, so all credit to Indira Gandhi for his birth? — Shefali Vaidya ஷெஃபாலி வைத்யா शेफाली वैद्य (@ShefVaidya) March 3, 2019 × Thanks to rahulji (pilot wale) who taught him to fly the planes. 👏👏👏👏 — abhishek mishra (@indabhi) March 2, 2019 × Wah!! Chacha, only Rahul Gandhi failed to mature during UPA regime!! — Ashish Patil (@imashpatil) March 2, 2019 × Maybe you forgot to add that he was flying an outdated MiG also because of UPA — Iswaran N.P. 🇮🇳 (@NPIswaran) March 2, 2019 × "...Also I must add, I'm forever indebted to UPA" He said this in that video which the Pakistanis made. They had to edit it out due to time constraints — Gabbbar (@GabbbarSingh) March 2, 2019 × Thanks to UPA I completed my engineering in 2006. 🙄#thinklikecongressmoron — lalit mohan (@vlalit) March 3, 2019 × After attracting criticism on the social media for "taking credit", Khurshid Sunday said that he had only "stated the truth". "I had said that he (the pilot) joined the IAF during our tenure. I had only stated the truth," he told reporters. Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between the two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down. He was released from Pakistani custody on Friday night and was shifted to the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi. Abhinandan is currently undergoing a series of medical tests. (With inputs from PTI)

Twitter blasts Salman Khurshid after he says Abhinandan 'matured as fighter pilot during UPA'

<p>Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive by the Pakistanis for two days after his jet was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has suffered injuries to his lower spine and rib.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news agency ANI quoted sources as saying Abhinandan might have hurt his spine while ejecting from his MiG-21.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sources added that the injury to his rib may have been caused by the attack on him by local Pakistani villagers.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="http://www.wionews.com/photos/abhinandans-moustache-takes-internet-by-storm-200797">Abhinandan's jet was shot down on Wednesday</a>. (He was before that able <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-says-it-is-seeking-information-on-whether-pakistan-used-f-16s-to-shoot-down-indian-jet-200891">to shoot down a Pakistani F-16</a>.)&nbsp;</p>

<p>When he landed, he asked the locals whether he was in India or Pakistan. They said India but Abhinandan realised better and backed away from away.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He fired his service revolver in the air to keep the locals off him, and tried to swallow the documents he had on his possession.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The locals caught up with him and began to beat him.</p>

<p>He was finally rescued by Pakistan Army personnel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abhinandan was returned to India on Friday night.&nbsp;</p>

<p>After his return, he was kept at the&nbsp;Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi. He is currently undergoing a "cooling down" process, a series of medical check-ups which are expected to last till Sunday. He will then be debriefed.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He will undergo further&nbsp;check-ups and treatment at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Minister of State for Defence Subhash Rao Bhamre met IAF Wing Commander <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbhinandanVarthaman?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbhinandanVarthaman</a> at Army Hospital Research And Referral in Delhi, today. <a href="https://t.co/cCwNKoaBTi">pic.twitter.com/cCwNKoaBTi</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1102210708471799808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>The sources added Sunday that Abhinandan had been checked for bugs — an MRI had been done on him — but that none were found planted on him. The MRI is what had shown up the injuries to the lower spine and the rib.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from ANI)</em></p>


Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive by the Pakistanis for two days after his jet was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has suffered injuries to his lower spine and rib.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive by the Pakistanis for two days after his jet was shot down in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, has suffered injuries to his lower spine and rib. The news agency ANI quoted sources as saying Abhinandan might have hurt his spine while ejecting from his MiG-21. The sources added that the injury to his rib may have been caused by the attack on him by local Pakistani villagers. Abhinandan's jet was shot down on Wednesday. (He was before that able to shoot down a Pakistani F-16.) When he landed, he asked the locals whether he was in India or Pakistan. They said India but Abhinandan realised better and backed away from away. He fired his service revolver in the air to keep the locals off him, and tried to swallow the documents he had on his possession. The locals caught up with him and began to beat him. He was finally rescued by Pakistan Army personnel. Abhinandan was returned to India on Friday night. After his return, he was kept at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi. He is currently undergoing a "cooling down" process, a series of medical check-ups which are expected to last till Sunday. He will then be debriefed. He will undergo further check-ups and treatment at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi. Minister of State for Defence Subhash Rao Bhamre met IAF Wing Commander #AbhinandanVarthaman at Army Hospital Research And Referral in Delhi, today. pic.twitter.com/cCwNKoaBTi — ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2019 × The sources added Sunday that Abhinandan had been checked for bugs — an MRI had been done on him — but that none were found planted on him. The MRI is what had shown up the injuries to the lower spine and the rib. (With inputs from ANI)

Wing Commander Abhinandan's lower spine, rib hurt: Sources

<p>India did not negotiate any deal to bring back its <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/did-not-face-any-physical-torture-but-went-through-a-lot-of-mental-harassment-abhinandan-on-his-captivity-in-pakistan-200734">Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman </a>and Pakistan on its accord announced that it will return him back, Government sources told WION.</p>

<p>Pakistan on Wednesday launched strikes against Indian military installations. About 20 Pakistani Air Force aircraft launched the attack at 9.45 am, out of which Indian Airforce downed one of PAF's F16 using its MiG 21. In the aerial combat, Abhinandan's aircraft was shot and he was captured.</p>

<p>India was firm that there will not be any repetition of Kandahar of 1999 in which an entire nation was "held ransom". New Delhi was clear from the start, Pakistan has to send back its Air Force personnel immediately and treat him in a humane manner. India also did not demand any consular access.</p>

<p>The Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday, just a day after his capture announced in the Parliament that he will be released.</p>

<p>He arrived in India on Friday and was taken from Amritsar to Delhi's Army hospital where he underwent a full body check-up. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Force Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa both met Abhinandan.</p>

<p>The Defence Ministry in a statement said, "Raksha Mantri met Wing Commander Abhinandan at RR hospital, interacted and enquired about his health. The officer was in high spirit and was happy to meet RM".</p>

<p>Wing Commander's family was also present when the Defence minister was present.</p>

<p>The Pakistani Foreign Minister SM Qureshi in the Pakistani Parliament on Friday had said Abhinandan will be released in the afternoon, but this was delayed by the Pakistani side and he finally came to India at 9.21 PM on Friday via the Wagah border.</p>


India did not negotiate any deal to bring back its Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and Pakistan on its accord announced that it will return him back, Government sources told WION.

India did not negotiate any deal to bring back its Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and Pakistan on its accord announced that it will return him back, Government sources told WION. Pakistan on Wednesday launched strikes against Indian military installations. About 20 Pakistani Air Force aircraft launched the attack at 9.45 am, out of which Indian Airforce downed one of PAF's F16 using its MiG 21. In the aerial combat, Abhinandan's aircraft was shot and he was captured. India was firm that there will not be any repetition of Kandahar of 1999 in which an entire nation was "held ransom". New Delhi was clear from the start, Pakistan has to send back its Air Force personnel immediately and treat him in a humane manner. India also did not demand any consular access. The Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday, just a day after his capture announced in the Parliament that he will be released. He arrived in India on Friday and was taken from Amritsar to Delhi's Army hospital where he underwent a full body check-up. Defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Air Force Chief Birender Singh Dhanoa both met Abhinandan. The Defence Ministry in a statement said, "Raksha Mantri met Wing Commander Abhinandan at RR hospital, interacted and enquired about his health. The officer was in high spirit and was happy to meet RM". Wing Commander's family was also present when the Defence minister was present. The Pakistani Foreign Minister SM Qureshi in the Pakistani Parliament on Friday had said Abhinandan will be released in the afternoon, but this was delayed by the Pakistani side and he finally came to India at 9.21 PM on Friday via the Wagah border.

No deal was negotiated to get Abhinandan back: Government sources to WION

Abhinandan's moustache takes internet by storm

<p>A day after he was returned from captivity, sources have said&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/the-week-that-was-timeline-of-india-pak-powerplay-leading-to-iaf-pilot-abhinandan-varthamans-release-200686">Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman</a> was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis but that he went through a lot of mental harassment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The news agency ANI reported the sources as saying that after returning from Pakistan, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has informed that though he was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis, he went through a lot of mental harassment.&nbsp;</p>

<p>ANI did not say who the sources were.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Sources: After returning from Pakistan, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has informed that though he was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis; he went through a lot of mental harassment. <a href="https://t.co/x7C3lFsrSR">pic.twitter.com/x7C3lFsrSR</a></p>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1101826679037743104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<p>Abhinandan had been beaten by locals after his MiG 21 Bison was shot down on Wednesday in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He was later rescued by Pakistani Army personnel.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abhinandan had taken down a Pakistani F-16 before being shot down.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Abhinandan is currently undergoing a series of medical tests, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/defence-minister-nirmala-sitharaman-meets-wing-commander-abhinandan-he-is-currently-undergoing-cooling-process-200730">a "cooling down" process</a> at the&nbsp;Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi. The "cooling down" will continue till Sunday. Once the health check-up is over, officials said, Abhinandan will be debriefed.&nbsp;</p>


A day after he was returned from captivity, sources have said Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis but that he went through a lot of mental harassment.

A day after he was returned from captivity, sources have said Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis but that he went through a lot of mental harassment. The news agency ANI reported the sources as saying that after returning from Pakistan, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has informed that though he was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis, he went through a lot of mental harassment. ANI did not say who the sources were. Sources: After returning from Pakistan, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman has informed that though he was not physically tortured by the Pakistanis; he went through a lot of mental harassment. pic.twitter.com/x7C3lFsrSR — ANI (@ANI) March 2, 2019 × Abhinandan had been beaten by locals after his MiG 21 Bison was shot down on Wednesday in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He was later rescued by Pakistani Army personnel. Abhinandan had taken down a Pakistani F-16 before being shot down. Abhinandan is currently undergoing a series of medical tests, a "cooling down" process at the Air Force Central Medical Establishment in Delhi. The "cooling down" will continue till Sunday. Once the health check-up is over, officials said, Abhinandan will be debriefed.

Not physically tortured but Wing Commander Abhinandan went through a lot of mental harassment: Sources

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