Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman who shot down a Pakistani F 16 on 27 February 27 in 2019 was awarded ‘Vir Chakra’ by President Ramnath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday. The fighter pilot intercepted Pakistani Fighter Jets and shot down one of their advanced fourth generation fighter jet F 16 with an ageing Mig 21. However, the pilot was also shot down by a BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile and was captured in Pakistan. Later, Pakistan released him and handed over to India.