India: One MiG 21 aircraft shot down, Pakistan claims missing pilot in its custody
On Wednesday, Pakistan violated Indian air space and PAF’s F-16 was shot down by Indian shot down by Indian Air Force. However, Pakistan claimed that it has shot down two Indian aircraft and arrested two Indian pilots.
In a press briefing on Pakistan, MEA spokesperson and Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said an aircraft was shot down and one pilot has been missing.
"One Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by Indian Air Force. In this engagement, we have lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts," Raveesh Kumar said.
#WATCH Raveesh Kumar, MEA: One Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by Indian Air Force. In this engagement, we have lost one MiG 21. Pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts. pic.twitter.com/Bm0nVChuzF
— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019
"Pakistan has not formally informed India about the detention of the pilot which it claims to have in its custody," reported ANI.
Meanwhile, Pakistan released a video of an Indian pilot captured on its territory. Pakistan’s military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said one of the pilots is in hospital.
Here's the full statement by the foreign ministry:
"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."
Also read: Pakistan claims 2 IAF jets shot down, releases video of arrested ‘Indian pilot'
First published: 27 February 2019, 15:28 IST