IAF shoots down Pak aircraft; Indian pilot ‘missing in action’; Pak claims he’s in its custody

The Ministry of External Affairs of India on Wednesday said Pakistan’s attempts to target military installations on the Indian side were foiled successfully and that one Pakistan aircraft was shot down. In a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said India lost one MIG-21 in that engagement, while one pilot is “missing in action”.

Pakistan claims that it has the pilot in its custody, the MEA spokesperson said, adding that the government is ascertaining the details.

Hours after Pakistan claimed “strikes across LoC from within Pakistani airspace”, the Pakistan Army also released a video that purportedly shows an IAF pilot identifying himself as Wing Commander Abhinandan.

The IndiaVision has learnt that a complement of Pakistan Air Force aircraft, presumably comprising Mirages, F16s and JF17s, crossed over to the Indian side of LoC in Rajauri-Naushera sector. This attack happened at around 10 AM, and Pakistani bombs missed the targets which seemed to be an ammunition point, a supply point, a brigade headquarters and a battalion headquarters in the area.

An IAF combat air patrol (CAP) of Mig29 aircraft was immediately put up in the air to engage the Pakistani aircraft in the air. Two Mig29 aircraft were claimed to have been shot down by Pakistan, with one wreckage falling on the Indian side and the other on the Pakistani side of LoC. PTI has reported that a Pakistani F16 was shot down in the engagement. There has been no official confirmation of the engagement from the government.