Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who had brought down a Pakistani jet in aerial combat in February 2019, has got approval for promotion. Officials informed that the Indian Air Force, on Wednesday approved the rank of Group Captain for him.
They said the approval is done and he will get the rank once procedures are completed. The procedure being that there has to be a vacancy for any official getting a new rank to wear it.
Abhinandan Varthaman had downed an enemy jet on February 27, 2019, after the Balakot airstrikes, a day before. India had targeted Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group's camp, to which Pakistan had retaliated. Crisis emerged when Wing Commander Varthaman was caught by Pakistan after his MiG-21 jet was hit.
He was subsequently released on March 1 by Pakistan, having suffered injurie while ejecting from his aircraft. He was later conferred with the Vir Chakra, India's third highest war time gallantry medal.