IAF's Abhinandan Varthaman gets Vir Chakra

New Delhi: Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed an enemy jet during aerial combat with Pakistan in February and was held captive for three days, has been conferred the Vir Chakra, India's third-highest wartime gallantry medal.

The defence ministry announced the military awards on the eve of Independence Day celebrations.

From the Army, Sapper Prakash Jadhav of the Rashtriya Rifles will be posthumously awarded Kirti Chakra, the second-highest peacetime gallantry award.

Squadron Leader Minty Agarwal, who played a key role as flight controller during the aerial combat between India and Pakistan on February 27, has been awarded Yudh Seva medal.

The IAF received a total of 13 awards including five Yudh Seva Medals and seven Vayu Sena Medal.

At least five Mirage fighter pilots, who were part of the operation to strike a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp deep inside Pakistan's Balakot on February 27, were among the awardees.