The loudest cheer came for Varthaman when it was announced that he was leading the Bison formation

Varthaman downed a Pakistani aircraft in a dogfight on February 27, before his own MiG-21 Bison was hit by a missile. He crash-landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where he was caught.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was awarded Vir Chakra for downing a Pakistani fighter jet, led a MiG-21 Bison formation at the Air Force Day flypast on Tuesday.

Other fighter pilots who participated in the Balakot strikes also took part in the Air Force Day flypast.

Five gallantry awardees also led an Avenger formation comprising three Mirage-2000s and two Su-30MKI aircraft.

The loudest cheer came for Varthaman when it was announced that he was leading the Bison formation.

Varthaman downed a Pakistani aircraft in a dogfight on February 27, before his own MiG-21 Bison was hit by a missile. He crash-landed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where he was caught. The Pakistan government, however, released him after remaining in its custody for almost 60 hours.

The aerial skirmish had taken place a day after the Indian Air Force targeted terror camps in Balakot in PoK.