This Pakistani pilot’s story that’s buried forever

Published on:

01 Mar 2019, 10:30 am

New Delhi: One of the most heart-wrenching stories that came out of the recent spike in tension between India and Pakistan was the case of a Pakistani pilot whose F-16 had been shot down by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman and who succumbed to the injuries inflicted by his own countrymen. The pilot had ejected successfully after getting hit in an aerial engagement with Varthaman and had also landed safely in Pakistan's territory. However, the local villagers, assuming that he is an Indian national, thrashed him so badly that he had to be admitted to a hospital.

The Pakistan government has not revealed the identity of the pilot because the country had procured F-16 from the US government on the condition that it will only be used in operations against terrorism. Identifying the pilot would mean admitting to using an F-16 to carry out an attack against India. The dead Pakistani pilot has been identified as Wing Commander Shahzaz Ud Din of 19 Squadron (Sherdils) PAF. And even though his case may not find any mention in the official records anywhere, his story is being discussed widely on social media.

When will Pakistan reveal details of Wing Commander Shahzad-Ud-Din of No 19 Squadron (Sherdils), pilot of the F-16 that crashed?
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 28, 2019

PAF yet to recognize Martyrdom of Wing Commander Shahzaz Ud Din who ejected himself from F-16 jet after his jet shot by R-73 Missile from Mig-21 and Braveheart #Abhinandan was flying that jet@ZaidZamanHamid chacha ask your Government to recognize and accept his Martyrdom pic.twitter.com/8JGnoaV3KE
— प्रकाश ???????? (@prakashSriv) February 28, 2019

Wg Cdr Shahzaz ud Din, the PAF F-16 Pilot of 19 Squadron PAF who lost his life in the MiG-21 and F-16 Air to Air engagement. Rest in Peace, for a soldier died for his country!
— LCA Tejas (India) (@Leopard212) February 28, 2019

Wg Cdr Shahzaz ud Din, the PAF F-16 Pilot lost his life.
— Mujaid Alam Bakarwal (@alam_mujaid) February 28, 2019

#Exclusive Now its time when pakistan should admit and share details of its Wing Commander Shahzad-Ud-Din of No 19 Squadron (Sherdils), pilot of the F-16 who was killed in @IAF_MCC action in Nowshera sector LoC#Surgical_Strike_2 pic.twitter.com/FXMGyuBk5m
— Ajay Jandyal (@ajayjandyal) February 28, 2019

Indian Airforce

Pakistani pilot

Pakistani pilot buried forever

Squadron (Sherdils) PAF

Wing Commander Shahzaz Ud Din