TIL Desk/World/Karachi/ The IAF Wing Commander, who showed courage and grace in handling the most difficult circumstances, was conferred the Vir Chakra, India’s third-highest war time gallantry medal.
Pakistan has displayed a mannequin resembling Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed its jet during an aerial combat and was held captive for three days, in an exhibit at a museum run by the Pakistan Air Force in Karachi, according to a media report.
Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan this week inaugurated an entire new section of Pakistan Air Force Museum where a mannequin painted to resemble Varthaman with his singature handlebar moustache has been put on display.
Close to his statue are placed a tea mug and the fuselage and tail of Varthaman’s aircraft, MiG-21. The gallery named “Operation Swift Retort” also contains images re-enacting the moment Varthaman’s aircraft was shot down, and photographs showing him being handed back to India at the Wagah border crossing.
