Chandigarh: Reports in Pakistani and international media say that the Pakistani Air Force shot down two Indian fighter planes. The claim is not yet confirmed by the Indian side but reports in Indian media do mention “crash” of an Indian Airforce Plane in Budhgam area of Jammu and Kashmir. These reports, however, add that the plane crash was not related to Indian airforce’s interaction with Pakistani jets that had crossed the LoC and bombed the territory under Indian control.
A report in The Dawn states: “Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday, in retaliation to India’s Line of Control (LoC) violation a day earlier, undertook strikes across the LoC from Pakistani airspace”.
BBC has also reported with reference to Pakistani Defence authorities that the Pakistan Air Force has shot down two Indian planes.
“Sole purpose of this action was to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We do not wish to escalate but are fully prepared if forced into that paradigm,” said Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
“PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K [Azad Jammu and Kashmir] while other fell inside IoK [Indian occupied Kashmir]. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area.”, Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, Spokesperson of Pakistan Armed Forces wrote on Twitter.
The tensions and hostility between two neighbours has turned intense since February 14 Pulwama Attack and later Balakot airstrikes by Indian Air Force.
Areal Attacks Between India and Pakistan After About Half a Century:
Both India and Pakistan claim all of Kashmir, but control only parts of it. The two nuclear powers have fought three wars and a limited conflict since transfer of power by British in 1947 – and all but one were over Kashmir.
The aerial attacks across the LoC are the first since a war between the two countries in 1971.
International Flights Gets Affected; Some Returning to Sites of Origin:
International flights monitoring service called Flight Radar 24 has stated that “International flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace now being affected. Some flights returning to origin, while others appear to be seeking alternate routing”.
International flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace now being affected. Some flights returning to origin, while others appear to be seeking alternate routing. https://t.co/sXbkX0qrGI pic.twitter.com/tojnJCii4w
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) February 27, 2019