Chennai sources stated that Tamilnadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to confer Param Vir Chakra, the country's highest military honor, on Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistan after a dogfight in the skies and released later. Meanwhile in a letter to Modi, Palaniswami said the IAF pilot, a native of Tamilnadu, displayed amazing poise and confidence in the face of an adverse condition and it would be appropriate he be awarded the highest military honor.
Furthermore he noted that Varthaman was released by Pakistan "due to the diplomatic initiatives" of the Prime Minister and "intense international pressure". The CM said "Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman displayed amazing poise and confidence in the face of adverse conditions, which has won him many hearts across the country and further it is appropriate that he be awarded India's highest military honor Param Vir Chakra (PVC) for displaying most inimitable gallantry and valor".
He added "He request the Government of India to confer the nation's highest military honor, Param Vir Chakra, on Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman”. Moreover Palaniswami recalled that the MiG-21 Bison aircraft piloted by Varthaman had shot down a Pakistan Air Force fighter (F-16) when it tried to violate India's air space and that he was later taken into custody by Pakistani armed forces.
