Pakistan attacks India: India downs intruding F-16 but loses MiG-21 during combat; IAF Pilot in Pak custody

New Delhi / Islamabad: Reacting to Indian attacks on its terrorist bases, Pakistan tried to hit the Indian military installations. The act appears to be a declaration of war against India by Pakistan. Pakistani fighter jets violated the Indian airspace and attempted to attack the Indian army locations. However, India’s MiG-21s chased the Pakistani jets out of the Indian territory. While the Indian Air Force downed an intruding F-16 fighter, IAF lost one MiG-21 in the ensuing engagement. By launching the attack, Pakistan has posed an open challenge to New Delhi. Also, a new wave of anger against Pakistan has erupted in India.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson, Raveesh Kumar delivered information on the combat in a press briefing. “India attacked the terrorist bases in Pakistan, and there was no civilian or military loss to the country due to it. However, Pakistan attempted to attack the Indian military installations, and this amounts to aggression,” Raveesh Kumar warned. He informed that India lost one of its ‘MiG-21 Bison’ fighter jets in the operation and that the pilot of the concerned aircraft was in Pakistan’s custody. The country is exhibiting the injured pilot before its media claiming it a significant success attained against India. Nevertheless, India claims the treatment meted out to the pilot, in violation of the international laws, and demands the pilot be immediately handed over to them, unharmed.

MiG-21, chased Pakistani fighter jets, F-16, Indian Air Force, India, Pakistan, China

The Indian External Affairs Ministry has registered its protest with the Pakistan High Commissioner in strong words. Following the Pakistani attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the chiefs of all three armed forces, along with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. A special meeting of all the political parties from the country was also held which unanimously denounced Pakistan. During the meeting, the IAF’s efforts over the past two days in ensuring national security were commended. Moreover, after violating Indian airspace and challenging New Delhi, Pakistan has now begun to speak the language of peace.

The Pakistan military spokesman made many contradictory statements. The spokesman first bragged that Pakistan retaliated and proved its capability. Following this, Pakistan Prime Minister tried to cover up for it by saying that the action of the Pakistani fighter jets was not intended to cause any damage to India. At the same time, he advised for peace and proposed negotiations with India. ‘It is easy to start a war, but no one can control how it would end,’ Imran Khan said in a threatening tone. He also reminded that both the nations possessed destructive weapons.

As the Pakistan Prime Minister was advocating peace to India, their military was resorting to dreadful firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu-Kashmir. Pakistan military has reportedly used the tank artillery along with bullet and mortar fire. The Indian Army made retaliatory strikes and destroyed the Pakistani military posts. Moreover, Indian analysts said that Pakistan’s proposal for peace, while engaging in a fierce conflict on the border, was utterly ridiculous. On Wednesday, although India avoided making any comment on the Pakistani air attack, the Indian leaders are giving out a message by making suggestive statements. “If the United States can carry out Abbottabad-like operation by entering into Pakistan, so can India”, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. Jaitley’s statements at a time when a conflict is underway between India and Pakistan bear proof of India’s proactive policy.

Meanwhile, Pakistan asked India for concrete evidence of terror outfit, Jaish-e-Mohammed’s (JeM) involvement in the Pulwama terror attack. Accordingly, on Wednesday, India submitted to Pakistan the dossier of JeM’s involvement, as per the reports. The Indian Foreign Ministry handed the dossier containing evidence to the Pakistan High Commissioner. Also, the Foreign Ministry has expressed that it hoped Pakistan would take an immediate and guaranteed action, based on the evidence. At the India-Russia-China tripartite talks ongoing in China, Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj raised the Pakistan issue. Terrorist organisation JeM was able to conduct the Pulwama terror attack only because of the security and support Pakistan provided them, Swaraj underscored. “Not only did Pakistan avoid the international responsibility of taking action against Jaish, but they also ignored the consistent demands made for it. Therefore, India had to launch an attack at Balakot,” Swaraj said as she justified India’s non-military pre-emptive strike.

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