LAHORE MIRROR — The Indian pilot Abhinandan, who was captured after his aircraft was shot down following India’s failed attack on Balakot in Pakistan, has taken early retirement from the Indian Air Force (IAF).
According to Indian media reports, the former fighter pilot has decided to begin a new career as a commercial pilot with a private airline following his retirement.
The reports said former Group Captain Abhinandan served in the Indian Air Force for 22 years before taking early retirement. He has now started working as a commercial pilot for a private airline.
According to the report, the airline is a small carrier that began flight operations in March 2024 and currently has a fleet of six ATR 72-600 aircraft.
It may be recalled that on February 27, 2019, Pakistan shot down two Indian fighter jets after they violated the Line of Control (LoC), while Wing Commander Abhinandan was captured alive.
The Pakistani government later released the captured Indian pilot as a goodwill gesture and handed him over to Indian authorities at the Wagah border.
Following the incident, Abhinandan was awarded India’s third-highest wartime gallantry award, the Vir Chakra. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Group Captain.
In September 2022, the Hindustan Times reported that a decision had been taken to grant Abhinandan early retirement from the Indian Air Force.
