Latest news with #Varthaman
India Today
6 days ago
- General
- India Today
Six decades of MiG-21: How IAF's crown jewel became flying coffin
As an Antonov-124 cargo aircraft unloaded three desert-camouflaged advanced multi-role attack AH-64E Apache helicopters for the Indian Army on Tuesday, news of another aviation behemoth was about to make waves across the Soviet-era MiG-21s, also India's first supersonic jet, long regarded as the workhorses of the Indian Air Force and guardians of the nation's skies for over six decades, were officially announced to take their final flight by September warplane is set to be formally retired with a ceremonial send-off in Chandigarh. It will be replaced by the indigenous Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. For anyone who has ever heard the aircraft roar to life during take-off or ripping through the skies mid-flight, that deafening sound is unforgettable – enough to give you goosebumps. One can only imagine the fear it instilled in the enemy ranks as it thundered overhead. But as the aircraft aged, a grim moniker began to overshadow its legacy – it earned the name "flying coffin".Except for Operation Meghdoot to secure the Siachen Glacier in 1984, where MiG-23s and MiG-29s played a more pivotal role in high-altitude airbases, the MiG-21 participated in nearly every war or conflict India has faced since 1963, when it was inducted in IAF: the 1965 and 1971 India-Pakistan wars, the 1999 Kargil War, the Balakot airstrikes in 2019, and most recently, Operation was this third-generation Soviet fighter jet that Group Captain (then-Wing Commander) Abhinandan Varthaman was flying during the Balakot airstrikes' aftermath, when Pakistani F-16s were about to cross into Indian airspace. In the dogfight, the MiG-21 Bison downed a far more advanced fourth-generation US-made F-16 before itself being shot down, with Varthaman captured and later returned from Operation Safed Sagar – IAF's support to the Indian Army's Operation Vijay during the 1999 Kargil War – the MiG-21 flew alongside Mirage 2000s, MiG-29s, MiG-23s, MiG-27s, and Jaguars, delivering punishing strikes in the world's harshest combat terrain in the WARHORSE THAT OUTLIVED ITS GLORYThen-Union Defence Minister AK Antony said in 2012 that 482 of 872 MiG-21 jets had crashed since its induction. Since 2010, there have been over 20 such crashes resulted in the deaths of over 170 fighter pilots of the fact, the fighter aircraft reportedly saw two crashes in its very first year of induction into the in July 2022, a trainer variant of the MiG-21 went down, resulting in the death of both pilots 2021, five MiG-21 Bison aircraft were lost in accidents, with three pilots losing their of the most recent accidents occurred in May 2023, when a MiG-21 crashed during a routine training mission near Suratgarh in Rajasthan. The pilot survived, but the debris struck a house in Hanumangarh district, claiming the lives of three IAF grounded the entire MiG-21 fleet after that the years, the crashes have been attributed to different reasons, including mechanical failures, human errors, bird strikes, and in some cases, spatial disorientation experienced by the warplane, designed by the Soviet Union's Mikoyan-Gurevich Design Bureau in the 1950s, was a technological marvel when inducted into the its use beyond its intended service life, combined with design limitations and maintenance challenges, led to frequent many aviation and defence enthusiasts regard it as one of the finest fighter jets of its time. The fact that an Air Force as large as India's continued to operate it for nearly 63 years speaks volumes about its a big reason the phasing out of the MiG-21s was delayed was the production delays of the LCA Tejas – an issue that the current Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, has been notably vocal the MiG-21 was reportedly designed for a service life of approximately 20-25 years, with retirement expected by the Indian MiG-21s were license-built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which built over 650 of them, including various variants such as the MiG-21FL, MiG-21M, MiG-21bis, the final version, the MiG-21 Bison, and MiG-21U/UM (trainer variants).But sourcing spare parts became problematic after the Soviet Union ceased production in 1985. India had to resort to procuring second-hand spares from Israel and Ukraine, which Moscow warned could compromise safety back in the early the IAF has just 36 MiG-21 planes left in its as India advances toward developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter, the legacy of the MiG-21 remains polarising. Once the backbone of the Air Force until the mid-2000s, it helped India win wars, but also claimed over 170 pilots and nearly 40 civilian lives in crashes.- EndsMust Watch
India Today
26-06-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Owe eternal debt: Munir at funeral of Pak officer who captured Abhinandan Varthaman
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended the funeral of Major Moiz Abbas Shah, who was involved in the 2019 capture of Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, and said the officer fought bravely in the face of resistance and that the country owes an eternal debt to its martyrs. Shah was killed on Shah, 37, was one of two army personnel killed in a clash with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, in which Pakistani security forces killed 11 terrorists. Seven security personnel sustained injures in the clash. The intelligence-based operation was carried out in South Waziristan district of Pakistan, according to a Pakistan Military statement issued on attended the funeral of the Pakistani military officer on Wednesday, which was held at Chaklala Garrison in Rawalpindi. Munir said Major Abbas showed great courage while facing resistance and ultimately sacrificed his life in the line of duty, exemplifying the highest standards of bravery, sacrifice, and patriotism."The entire nation stands united in grief and pride, saluting his ultimate sacrifice for the defence of the country. We owe an eternal debt to our martyrs. The blood of our Shuhada is the foundation of our nation's strength," Munir said, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).Senior serving military and civil officials also attended the funeral of Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah Shaheed, Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune reported, citing CAPTURE AFTER BALAKOT AIRSTRIKE IN 2019Following India's attack on a terrorist training camp at Balakot in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on February 26, 2019, twelve days after the Pulwama attack, Pakistan responded with a plan to target India's military installations. A fleet of up to 24 fighter jets headed towards India, drawing a prompt response from India. An aerial dogfight Varthaman, then Wing Commander, was part of the Indian pushback team of Srinagar-based 51 the dogfight, Varthaman's aircraft was also downed by Pakistani fighter jets. Varthaman ejected and landed across the Line of Control (LoC) and was captured by Pakistani was returned to India 58 hours after being captured. Varthaman walked across the Attari-Wagah border on the night of February IS TEHRIK-E TALIBAN PAKISTAN (TTP)Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP), commonly known as the Pakistan Taliban, is a coalition of formerly separate militant groups that united in 2007. This alliance was formed in response to Pakistan's military operations against Al-Qaida-linked militants in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Formed under the leadership of Baitullah Mehsud, who is now dead, TTP is rooted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Some estimates suggest that TTP has between 30,000 and 35,000 members, according to a UN terror outfit has executed several deadly attacks, including the 2014 Peshawar school massacre, an attack on army headquarters in 2009, assaults on military bases, and the 2008 bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.- EndsTrending Reel
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan Major who 'nabbed' Abhinandan killed
NEW DELHI: In a big setback for the ISI and Pakistan army, a Major rank officer and over a dozen other security personnel were killed in separate ambush attacks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters in Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Tuesday. The slain Major, Moiz Abbas, from the 6 CDO battalion (SSG), had claimed he had captured IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman in 2019. Abbas was honorarily promoted to the rank of Major for his act. While Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir attended his funeral prayers on Wednesday, President Asif Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif offered condolences and praised him for fighting against the operatives of 'Fitna-Al-Khwarij', a term used by Pakistan for referring to TTP fighters. On Feb 27, 2019, Varthaman, then a Wing Commander, had downed an enemy jet (F-16) during an aerial combat with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrikes a day before. His own jet was subsequently hit, prompting an ejection and landing on enemy soil. He was held captive for three days and released by Pakistan on March 1. He was later conferred with the Vir Chakra, India's thirdhighest war-time gallantry medal, and promoted to the rank of Group Captain. Abbas (37) was an SSG commando from Chakwal. He was seen in an interview to the Pakistani media describing Varthaman's capture and rescue from angry civilians. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ductless Air Conditioners Are Selling Like Crazy [See Why] Keep Cool Click Here Undo Confirming Abbas's death, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that Abbas led his troops from the front. 'He fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice along with another brave son of the soil, Lance Naik Jibran Ullah, during the intense fire exchange,' it ISPR also claimed that 11 TTP fighters were killed and called them 'Indiasponsored terrorists', their usual ploy to avoid naming Afghanistan or Taliban. Sources said the TTP fighters targeted Pakistan army personnel in two separate ambushes in Kurram and Sararogha in south Waziristan. While eight Pakistani soldiers were killed and 10 injured in Kurram, at least six soldiers were killed in south Waziristan. TTP operatives also destroyed army vehicles and seized weapons before leaving. In a statement issued on its Telegram account, TTP said videos of both attacks would be released soon. ISPR, however, said, 'During the operation, our troops effectively engaged the Khwarij location and 11 Indian-sponsored Khwarij were killed and seven got injured by the security forces.'
Hans India
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistani Officer Linked To Abhinandan Capture Dies In Taliban Attack
A Pakistani Army officer who gained prominence for his alleged role in capturing Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman during the 2019 post-Balakot tensions has been killed in a counter-terrorism operation against Taliban militants in Pakistan's volatile tribal region. Major Syed Moiz Abbas Shah died alongside Lance Naik Jibran during an intelligence-based operation in South Waziristan district, where Pakistani security forces engaged with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorists. The operation, conducted by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), resulted in the elimination of 11 TTP militants while claiming the lives of two Pakistani security personnel. Major Shah had previously claimed credit for the capture of then-Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was shot down during the aerial confrontation that followed India's airstrikes on terrorist training camps in Balakot, Pakistan. The incident occurred on February 27, 2019, just one day after India's retaliatory action against terrorist infrastructure in response to the Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel. The aerial engagement between Indian and Pakistani forces began when Pakistan launched a counter-operation involving up to 24 fighter aircraft targeting Indian military installations. During the ensuing dogfight, Varthaman's MiG-21 Bison was shot down after he reportedly engaged and destroyed a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet. The Indian pilot was forced to eject and landed on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control, where he was subsequently captured by Pakistani forces. Major Shah, who hailed from Pakistan's Chakwal district, was serving with the elite Special Services Group (SSG) at the time of his death. His involvement in the Varthaman capture had made him a notable figure in Pakistan's military circles, particularly given the international attention the incident received. The capture of Abhinandan Varthaman became a major flashpoint in India-Pakistan relations, triggering intense diplomatic activity and back-channel communications between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. India reportedly issued stern warnings against any attempt by Pakistan to use the captured pilot as a bargaining chip, threatening further military retaliation if he was not released promptly. The crisis reached its peak when world powers, concerned about the potential for escalation between two nuclear-armed states, intervened diplomatically to urge restraint from both sides. After 58 hours in Pakistani custody, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced Varthaman's release as a "gesture of peace," a decision that was widely interpreted as a de-escalatory move under international pressure. Varthaman was released on March 1, 2019, which helped to lower tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. He crossed back into India through the Attari-Wagah border on the evening of February 28, where he was received by Indian officials and later honored for his service. The death of Major Shah occurs amid Pakistan's ongoing struggle with internal terrorism, particularly in the tribal regions bordering Afghanistan. The TTP, which emerged as a significant threat to Pakistani security, has been responsible for numerous attacks against military and civilian targets across the country. South Waziristan, where the fatal encounter took place, has been a particular hotbed of militant activity. The region has witnessed numerous military operations as Pakistani forces attempt to clear terrorist sanctuaries and restore government control over these strategically important areas. The incident underscores the complex security challenges facing Pakistan, where military personnel who once operated against external threats now find themselves engaged in protracted counter-insurgency operations against domestic terrorist groups. The loss of experienced officers like Major Shah represents a significant blow to Pakistan's counter-terrorism capabilities in these sensitive regions. For India, the news of Major Shah's death serves as a reminder of the 2019 crisis that demonstrated both the escalatory potential of Indo-Pakistani conflicts and the importance of diplomatic intervention in preventing full-scale military confrontation between nuclear-armed neighbors.
