In an aerial engagement, Pakistan shot MiG 21 Bison of IAF on Wednesday wherein IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was shown injured and further attacked by the angry mob.
The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday said New Delhi strongly objects to Pakistan’s “vulgar display” of an injured Indian Air Force personnel in violation of the International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention.
A PAF fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21 Bison of the Indian Air Force. The aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side.
Later in this engagement, India, unfortunately, lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action and Pakistan has claimed that Indian wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman is in their custody.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Pakistani government had tweeted a video clip, of which, Disha News has not independently verified the authenticity of the video. It allegedly displays the pilot but later deleted the tweet.
Disha News in respect of Indian Army won’t display the video.
The ministry’s statement came hours after it confirmed that an IAF pilot had gone missing in action after India responded to attacks by the Pakistan Air Force near the Line of Control.
Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the IAF shot down a PAF fighter aircraft after Islamabad targeted military installations on India’s side of the border.
Full statement by MEA:
The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned this afternoon by MEA to lodge a strong protest at the unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan against India earlier today, including by violation of the Indian air space by Pakistan Air Force and targeting of Indian military posts.
This is in contrast to the India’s non-military anti-terror pre-emptive strike at a JeM terrorist camp in Balakot on 26 February 2019. It is unfortunate that instead of fulfilling its international obligation and bilateral commitment to take credible action against terrorist entities and individuals operating from its soil, Pakistan has acted with aggression against India.
It was clearly conveyed that India reserves the right to take firm and decisive action to protect its national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity against any act of aggression or cross-border terrorism.
India also strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return.
Regret was expressed at continuing denial by Pakistan’s political and military leadership at the presence of terrorist infrastructure in territories under its control. A dossier was handed over to Pakistan side with specific details of JeM complicity in Pulwama terror attack and the presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in Pakistan. It was conveyed that India expects Pakistan to take immediate and verifiable action against terrorism emanating from territories under its control.
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