New Delhi: The India Air Force is recommending Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman for the wartime gallantry medal Vir Chakra for shooting down an F-16 in aerial conflict with Pakistan.
"While Abhinandan is being 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 during the times of war 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.
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