Indian Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, Who Was Shot Down by Pakistan, Retires from IAF

NEW DELHI - Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force and captured during the 2019 aerial confrontation, has officially retired from the IAF and joined a private airline as a commercial pilot .

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was shot down by Pakistani Air Force and captured by Pakistan, has officially retired today.

The world will never forget how India awarded him for humiliation.

“Tea is fantastic” will be remembered forever! ☕🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/CnZdXBxJr4

- Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) September 3, 2026

Varthaman, who was awarded India's Vir Chakra for his actions during the dogfight, took premature retirement after serving in the IAF for 22 years . According to reports, he has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a pilot .

The 2019 Aerial Confrontation

On February 27, 2019, Varthaman was flying a MiG-21 Bison when it was shot down by the Pakistan Air Force during an air duel . He ejected from his aircraft and landed in Pakistani territory, where he was captured and held for three days .

During his captivity, a video emerged showing the Indian pilot sipping tea and praising his Pakistani captors, saying: "The tea is fantastic" - a phrase that became iconic in Pakistan and continues to be remembered to this day .

He was released on March 1, 2019, as a goodwill gesture by Pakistan .

A Controversial Legacy

While India awarded Varthaman the Vir Chakra for reportedly shooting down a Pakistani F-16, Pakistan has consistently rejected this claim . Foreign Policy magazine reported that US defense officials confirmed all Pakistani F-16s were "present and accounted for" . Notably, Varthaman himself has never publicly claimed the kill .

The phrase "Tea is fantastic" remains a cultural touchstone in Pakistan, with the hashtag "#TsFantastic" trending for 36 hours following the incident .