‘Tea is fantastic’ Abhinandan awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal

Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was captured by Pakistan in 2019 after his MiG 21 Bison aircraft was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jet, and later returned to India — was awarded India’s third-highest gallantry medal on Monday, reports Asian News International (ANI).

Delhi: Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhinandan Varthaman being accorded the Vir Chakra by President Ram Nath Kovind, for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 fighter aircraft during aerial combat on February 27, 2019. pic.twitter.com/vvbpAYuaJX

— ANI (@ANI) November 22, 2021

According to the report, the citation for the award stated: “Wing Commander Abhinandan showed conspicuous courage, demonstrated gallantry in the face of the enemy while disregarding personal safety and displayed [an] exceptional sense of duty.”

Pakistani Twitterati reacted to the news of Pak-fame Abhinandan and yet again reminded the world of his famous dialogue,  ‘Tea is fantastic’.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Vice President Sherry Rehman tweeted, “Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody ?”

Is this for real? Award for drinking tea in Pakistani custody ? #paralleluniverse https://t.co/2FWr8fNTa8

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) November 22, 2021

Journalist Abbas Nasir tweeted, “India edges past us in the race for being the most delusional country in the Subcon.”

India edges past us in the race for being the most delusional country in the Subcon. Via @laalshah https://t.co/8W6NmpSHOi

— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) November 22, 2021

Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera tweeted, “Feel so sorry for the poor bloke!!!”

Feel so sorry for the poor bloke!!! 🤦‍♂️😂 https://t.co/vu9N344W5J

— Ahmad Nawaz Sukhera (@ansukhera) November 22, 2021

Journalist Fereeha Idrees commented, “Bollywood fantasyland taken next level. Indian Air force is awarding their man for getting shot in air by Pakistani pilots and then landing in Pakistan while thinking he was in India.”

Bollywood fantasyland taken next level. Indian Air force is awarding their man for getting shot in air by Pakistani pilots and then landing in Pakistan while thinking he was in India, getting beaten up by angry mob until he was saved by our professional Army men for a cuppa..☺️

— Fereeha M Idrees (@Fereeha) November 22, 2021

Abdullah Saad tweeted, “Not the first time that an IAF officer was given Vir Chakra for a fictitious kill.”

Not the first time that an IAF officer was given Vir Chakra for a fictitious kill. Post 1965 war WG Trevor Keelor received VC for shooting down Flt Lt Yusuf Ali’s F86. While in reality it was hurt but made it back to base and was restored to active flight status after repairs. https://t.co/Lroh5EpKDw

— Saad (@kursed) November 22, 2021

A Twitter user wrote, “Never ever feeling guilty or ashamed about receiving credit for work I didn’t do.”

Inspirational: Never ever feeling guilty or ashamed about receiving credit for work I didnt do. https://t.co/TA8lXkmQP9

— gal galoch (@antifatwa) November 22, 2021

Abhinandan was arrested on Feb 27, 2019, after his aircraft was shot down by the PAF upon violating Pakistani airspace.

He was initially captured by locals in Azad Kashmir before being taken into custody by Pakistan Army personnel.