LAHORE (DNA) – Indian Air Force will be recommending failed Wing Commander Abhinandan for the wartime gallantry medal Vir Chakra.

According to ANI,12 Mirage 2000 pilots who violated the Pakistani air space along with Abhinandan and ran away throwing Payloads due to timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force would also be recommended for Vayu Sena medals.

Wing Commander of Indian Air Force, Abhinandan was captured by Pakistan after his MiG 21 Bison aircraft was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet on Feb 27 over violateing Pakistani airspace.

He was captured by security personnel of Pakistan.

Wing Commander Abhinandan, in a video message after the incident said “I am a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force. I was in search of the target when your [Pakistan] Air Force shot me down. I had to eject the plane which had sustained damage. As soon as I ejected and when my parachute opened and when I fell down, I had a pistol with me.”

“Indian media always stretches the truth,” he regretted. “The smallest of things are presented in a very incendiary manner and people get misled.”

Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan announced to release captured Indian pilot during a parliament session as a goodwill gesture to de-escalate soaring tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors.

Rangers officials handed over the captured pilot to Indian officials at Wagah border crossing on March 1 this year.