Last Updated on September 7, 2026 by YeJahan
YEJAHAN DESK
ISLAMABAD (Sept 2): Indian fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, whose jet was shot down by Pakistani pilots and who was subsequently captured by the local public and military, has retired from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to join a Goa-based airline.
Abhinandan became a subject of memes across the world when a Pakistani fighter pilot chased him and shot his plane down on February 27, 2019. Then-Wing Commander Abhinandan and his fellow pilots were among the fleet that was sent by India after the Balakot incident.
Nandan took off in his MiG-21 Bison to intercept the incoming Pakistani fighter planes; however, he himself became a target and brought embarrassment for India when his MiG-21 was hit by a missile, forcing an ejection.
He had to parachute down, landing in the village of Horran in Kashmir, about 7 kilometers from the Line of Control (LoC). Initially, he was cornered by a local mob, who thrashed him; however, the Pakistan Army reached him quickly to save his life, and he was taken into custody.
Fighter Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Who Shot Down Pak Jet After Balakot, Retires From IAF, Joins Goa Airline https://t.co/0SBbQe0BgZ
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) September 3, 2026
While in Pakistani custody, the Paksitan Army released a video of Abhinandan calmly drinking tea and praising the ‘hospitality’ of the rival Army. When a Pakistani officer asked him if he liked the tea, he responded: “The tea is fantastic, thank you.” That phrase went viral globally and gave birth to thousands of memes on social media.
Following intense diplomatic and international requests, then-Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his release as a “gesture of peace”.
Abhinandan was handed back to Indian authorities at the Attari-Wagah border on March 1, 2019, after spending nearly 60 hours in captivity.
