President Ram Nath Kovind presented Abhinandan Varthaman with Vir Chakra

Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman (then Wing Commander) was awarded Vir Chakra, the third highest wartime gallantry award, by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind on Monday. He was held as a prisoner for three days by Pakistan after he chased down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet during a fight over the Line of Control (LOC) in the repercussion of the Balakot airstrike before his MiG 21 Bison was hit and he had to eject in Pakistani territory.

He was one among several other military officers who were awarded the most prestigious awards and Distinguished Service decorations in a defence investiture ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and several other dignitaries came to appreciate the awardees who showed courage in the face of the enemy while putting their personal safety on the line” to do their duty with their presence.

Major Vibhuti Shankar Dhoundiyal was posthumously honoured with Shaurya Chakra for his role in a counter-insurgency operation, where five terrorists were killed and 200 kg explosive material was found. The award was received by his wife, Lt. Nitika Kaul, and his mother.

The second highest peacetime gallantry award, Kirti Chakra, was posthumously awarded to Sapper Prakash Jadhav for offsetting terrorists in an operation in Jammu and Kashmir.

President Ram Nath Kovind also presented the Shaurya Chakra posthumously to Naib Subedar Sombir for killing a terrorist in an operation in Jammu and Kashmir.