Srinagar
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on February 27 confirmed that one Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was missing in action and that Pakistan’s claims of his capture were still being ascertained.
MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “India had informed about Counter-Terrorism (CT) action it took yesterday against a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan based on credible evidence that JeM intended to launch more attacks.”
“Against this Counter Terrorism Action, Pakistan has responded this morning by using its Air Force to target military installations on the Indian side. Due to our high state of readiness and alertness, Pakistan’s attempts were foiled successfully,” said MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.
“The Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly. In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21 Bison of the Indian Air Force,” he said.
“The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts,” MEA Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.
