A Pakistani commando who was behind the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman when his IAF jet crashed in Pakistani territory in February this year, and had reportedly tortured the IAF pilot, has been killed in firing by Indian forces along the Line of Control. According to reports, Ahmed Khan, a subedar with the Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group, was killed by the Indian Army in Nakyal sector of the LoC on August 17 when he was trying to facilitate more infiltrators into India. In photos released by Pakistan after Abhinandan’s captured on February 27, the bearded Khan can be seen behind the IAF officer.
Abhinandan was captured after his MiG 21 was shot down by Pakistani forces when he went chasing after a Pakistani jet in the aftermath of the Balakot airstrike. It is reported that Ahmed Khan used to be active in the Nowshera, Sundarbani and Pallan Wala sectors. On August 17, India retaliated fiercely to Pakistan launching a mortar fire attack on Indian forces in the Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch. Pakistan was firing mortar shells to allow infiltrators to enter India. Khan was killed in the return fire by India.
Who is Abhinandan Varthaman?
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was born on 21 June 1983 in Thirupanamoor, a village about 19 km from Kanchipuram in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu. His father retired as an Air Marshal from the Indian Air Force and his mother is a doctor. Abhinandan did his early schooling at Sainik Welfare School, Amatavatinagar, in Chennai.
He graduated from the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the combat (fighter) stream of the Indian Air Force as a flying officer. He was promoted to flight lieutenant on 19 June 2006 and squadron leader on 8 July 2010. Abhinandan is married and has 2 children. In the 2019 India-Pakistan standoff, he was held captive for 60 hours in Pakistan.
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