The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson – Raveesh Kumar has said in a media briefing that Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison was lost today morning while combating Pakistani fighter jets that had intruded into the Indian airspace.
The MEA also confirmed that the pilot of that MiG – Wing Commander Abhinandan is also missing. However, earlier Pakistan had claimed that they have held 2 Indian pilots in custody. The Indian Air Force Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor was also present at the media briefing.
Pakistan Radio has released first footage of Wing Commander, who declares his name and serial number as per Geneva Convention to his Pakistani Captors. However Geneva convention is applicable only if India/Pakistan declare war on each other hence his fate will be decided by next steps that New Delhi chooses to take.
The arrested Indian pilot #PakistanArmyZindabad#Budgam#PakistanAirForceOurPride#PakistanStrikesBack#PakistanZindabaad pic.twitter.com/UIPHFBv2Sk
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) February 27, 2019
Kumar has also confirmed that a Pakistani fighter jet was also shot down by Indian fighters.
Media statement issued by MEA-IAF:
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.
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. 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.
