Virendera Singh Pathania
 | This article, Virendera Singh Pathania, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
| This article, Virendera Singh Pathania, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
Reviewer tools: Inform author |
Virendera Singh Pathania | |
|---|---|
| Native name | Bhotti |
| Birth name | Virendera Singh Pathania |
| Nickname(s) | PAT |
| Born | 1936 Village Rey, Tehsil Fatehpur, District Kangra, H.P India |
| Died | New Delhi |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Service/ |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 1956-1993 |
| Rank |  Group Captain  |
| Service number | 5198 F(P) |
| Unit |  No.23 Squadron Black Panther No.18 Squadron Flying Bullets |
| Battles/wars | Sino-Indian War Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 |
| Awards |  Vir Chakra Vayu Sena Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Asha Pathania |
| Children | Trigun Pathania Karan Pathania Preeti Pathania |
Group Captain Virendera Singh Pathania served IAF as fighter pilot from 25 August 1956 to 9 December 1993 and is reputed for making the first confirmed Sabre Jet kill by PAF on 4 September 1965 of post independent India for which he was decorated by IAF with Vir Chakra. In 1971 war he made another unconfirmed kill. On 14 December 1971 he was awarded Vayusena Medal for his role as commander when under him a 26 year old flying officer PVC Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon single handedly engaged with six Sabre Jet.
During Sino-Indian War IAF was only inducted as supportive role in that war. Flight Lieutenant Virendera Singh Pathania of No. 23 Squadron IAF made sorties on perforated steel plated Chushul airport for photo reconnaissance.[1]
On 4 September Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 Vir Chakra VrC was awarded to him for shooting down a Sabre jet, with his Folland Gnat jet aircraft. It became the first kill of post independent India as Pakistani Fg. Offr. N.M Butt of F-86 PAF ejected safely and Sabre Jet was recovered near Akhnoor Bridge J&K.[2][3][4]
On 6 December Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Sqn. Ldr. Virendera Singh Pathania and Fg. Offr. Boppayya scrambled an incoming raid by four F-86 and intercepted their due course in Srinagar.[5]
On 14 December Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 Sqn. Ldr. Virendera Singh Pathania of No. 18 Squadron IAF was awarded Vayusena Medal VM award for commandingly taking control of Air Traffic Controller ATC when Flight Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon PVC single handedly engaged in suicidal dogfight with six F-86 Sabre Jet Pakistani airplanes at Srinagar while disengaging attackers from their prime targets.[6]
Next day on 15 December 1971, Squadron Leader Varinder Singh Pathania took revenge of slained Fg. Offr.Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon by making an unconfirmed kill of F-86, a day prior to the East Pakistan Army's surrender.[7]
- ^ "Importance of Chushul sector: Indian Army's consolidation will give New Delhi access to east Ladakh and region's crucial airstrip". First Post. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ Indian Air Force awards "Group Captain Virendera Singh Pathania". Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ Shukla, Ajai. "The day nothing happened". Business Standard. Retrieved 2 September 2014.
- ^ "The Class of '65". Indian Express. Retrieved 29 July 2006.
- ^ "Indian Combat Pilots". Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Indian Air Force Day 2020 : Story Of Flying Officer Nirmal Jit Singh Sekhon". Retrieved 13 July 2021.
- ^ "Indian Combat Pilots". Retrieved 14 July 2021.