India summons Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner, lodges strong protest and asks safe return of IAF pilot

"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," read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.

"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 said.

India asked Pakistan to ensure immediate and safe return of the Indian Air Force pilot captured by the neighbouring nation.

"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," it said.

Asking to take immediate action against terrorism, the statement further said: "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."

Amid heightened tension, the Indian government on Wednesday said that an Indian Air Force pilot, who engaged Pakistani jets that violated Indian airspace, is currently missing in action.

Pakistan has claimed that it has shot down two aircraft of the Indian Air Force and captured a pilot.

The neighbouring nation also released a video and claimed that it is of an Indian pilot named Abhinandan.

In response to the claims, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "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," he said.

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.

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."