New Delhi: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be conferred with the Vir Chakra which is India’s third highest wartime medal. Abhinandan shot down a Pakistan F-16 near the Line of Control and landed on the Pakistan side.

He was then apprehended by the officials of the Pakistani Army on the same day and taken into custody.

Also read: Abhinandan Varthaman likely to be honoured with Vir Chakra

The fighter pilot had sustained a rib fracture, a back contusion and some bruises after he was allegedly attacked by locals in PoK.

Abhinandan returned to India on March 1 after he was captured and was in Pakistani custody for two days.

After returning and completing the medical procedure, although he was sent on sick leave for four weeks, he joined his squadron in Srinagar.

The mission by India was carried out in retaliation of a terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama on February 14 in which over 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed.

Pakistani security forces had captured Abhinandan, but later released him to India around 60 hours after capturing him, through the Wagah border.

The Vir Chakra is the third highest wartime military award in India, after the Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra.

The Vir Chakra is awarded for acts of gallantry in the presence of the enemy, whether on land or at sea or in the air.