Abhinandan Varthaman Quits Indian Air Force, To Join Goa-based Airline

Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan after an aerial engagement during the 2019 Balakot episode, has taken premature retirement from the force and is set to join Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot, multiple media reports said.

Varthaman, who was promoted to the rank of Group Captain in December 2021, has completed nearly 22 years of service in the IAF. Sources said his decision to move to the commercial aviation sector is part of a natural career transition for many fighter pilots, whose flying responsibilities generally reduce as they rise through the ranks, while administrative duties increase.

On February 27, 2019, Varthaman was flying a MiG-21 when an aerial engagement took place with a Pakistan Air Force F-16 over the Nowshera sector along the Line of Control (LoC).