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IAF pilot who engaged Pakistan jets missing in action, Indian government says

India Blooms News Service | @indiablooms | Feb 27, 2019, at 04:23 pm

#MiG21 #IndianPilotMissing #Pakistan #MEA #RaveeshKumar

New Delhi, Feb 27 (IBNS): The Indian government on Wednesday confirmed that an Indian Air Force pilot, who engaged Pakistani jets that violated Indian airspace, is currently missing in action.

Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "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, " he said.

Statement by Official Spokesperson today
âž¡ï¸ https://t.co/OEUNq7z5iY pic.twitter.com/nVkxqqjl2b
— Raveesh Kumar (@MEAIndia) February 27, 2019

Pakistan on Wednesday claimed it has shot down Indian jets as a retaliation to the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) days after the Pulwama terror attack. India, however, rubbished the claim initially, according to media reports.

Pakistan said it shot down two IAF aircraft and arrested an Indian pilot.

Pakistan also released a 46-second video showing a blindfolded man and claimed that he’s IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan.

“I am an IAF officer. My service No is 27981,” the man said in the video, according to reports in media though India has not yet confirmed the veracity of the video.

In a statement, Pakistan claimed it has struck across the LoC from within Pakistani airspace.

Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson, Major General Asif Ghafoor, tweeted, "In response to PAF strikes this morning as released by MoFA, IAF crossed LOC. PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts [sic] inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K while other fell inside IOK. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area."

In response to PAF strikes this morning as released by MoFA, IAF crossed LOC. PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K while other fell inside IOK. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area.
— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 27, 2019

Reports earlier said an Indian Air Force (IAF) jet crashed in central Kashmir district of Budgam on Wednesday.

The jet had taken off from Technical Airport in Budgam.

'The debris of the aircraft was found about 7 km from the airport in an open field,' the sources said.

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