IAF Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman, who downed a Pakistani jet during an aerial combat in February 2019 and was held captive for three days, was, on 22 November, awarded the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind in an investiture ceremony.

Varthaman was captured by the Pakistani Army on 27 February 2019 after his MiG-21 Bison jet was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani jets. Before his jet was hit, he had downed a Pakistani F-16 fighter.

While Varthaman was able to exit safely, he was taken into custody by the Pakistan Army. India demanded his unconditional and safe return and days later, the Pakistan Army was forced to release him, with the United States also intervening in the matter.