NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force on Wednesday launched an air-combat mobile game featuring a character resembling its pilot shot down and captured by Pakistan during recent heightened tensions between the nuclear arch-rivals.

The character, who looks like handlebar-moustached wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman, can be seen at the start of the single player game’s teaser trailer released by the air force on Twitter.

Read: Video: Wing Commander Abhinandan says Pakistani Army treated him with respect

“I fly deep into enemy territory, and strike fear in the heart of my enemies,” the text of the trailer said as it showed shots of fighter jets shooting at targets. Abhinandan in February was shot down in a dogfight with Pakistani aircraft over Azad Kashmir.

The incident followed a massive suicide bombing that killed 40 Indian troops in held Kashmir on February 14.

Indian warplanes then launched a strike inside Pakistani territory, sparking an incursion by Islamabad that led to Abhinandan’s downing and capture.

The Android and iOS-based mobile game “Indian Air Force: A Cut Above” will let players fly different aircraft and complete various missions.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2019