India, Sept. 3 -- Indian Air Force fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who became a prominent figure during the 2019 India-Pakistan military confrontation, has reportedly retired prematurely from the IAF and begun a new career in commercial aviation.

The former Group Captain and Vir Chakra awardee has joined Goa-based regional airline FLY91 as a commercial pilot, media reports said.

According to the report, Varthaman joined the private airline in August after completing around 22 years of service with the Indian Air Force.

Neither Varthaman nor FLY91 has publicly confirmed the development.

A spokesperson for the airline declined to share information about individual employees, describing such details as a private matter.

FLY91 began ...