Abhinandan, shot down by PAF in 2019, retires from IAF: report

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was held captive for three days after Pakistan shot down his MiG-21 fighter during Operation Swift Retort in February 2019, has retired from the force and joined a private airline as a commercial pilot, Indian broadcaster NDTV reported. According to the broadcaster, Abhinandan joined a Goa-based regional carrier FLY91, which began operations in March 2024 and currently operates a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft.

“The former group captain and Vir Chakra awardee, who served in the Air Force for 22 years, has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot,” NDTV reports citing The Press Trust of India , which quoted sources. The Press Trust of India report claimed that Abhinandan joined the private airline in August. “So far, Varthaman has not issued any statement on the matter. A FLY91 spokesperson also refused to release any personal information about employees, saying it is a private matter,” NDTV adds. In February 2019, after an attack in India-occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama area claimed the lives of 44 Indian…