The Indian Air Force (IAF) has transferred Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman out of the Srinagar airbase amid concerns over his security in the Kashmir valley.
The officer has been posted to an important airbase in the Western sector, reported news agency ANI.
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Abhinandan, who was held captive for around 60 hours in Pakistan after being captured during a dogfight on February 27, was last month advised to go on sick leave for at least three weeks before resuming duty. However, he chose to go back to his squadron in Srinagar rather than spending time with his family in Chennai.
He was captured by Pakistani authorities on February 27 after his MiG 21 Bison went down during a dogfight with Pakistani jets. But before his plane was hit, Varthaman shot down an F-16 of Pakistan Air Force.
After he was captured, Varthaman showed courage and grace in the most difficult circumstances for which he was praised by politicians, strategic affairs experts, ex-servicemen, celebrities and others.
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