The Pakistan Air Force (PAF,) on the 27th of February, violated the Indian airspace in a few areas of Nowshera sectors of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to sources, the Indian Air Force (IAF) stopped the Pakistani jets and pushed them back.
The Pakistan Government claimed, the PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts in Pakistan’s airspace and also captured one of the Indian pilots. However, India denied these claims and said, the IAF shot down a Pakistan Air Force F 16 jet during retaliation, when the Pakistan Air Force entered the Indian territory.
The aircrafts were launched by the Government of Pakistan in the wake of the IAF airstrikes, which happened on the 26th of February, two weeks after the Pulwama terror attack.
The IAF, during the airstrikes, killed approximately 300 terrorists of the Jaish e Mohammad (JeM) terrorist group, which was responsible for the terror attack in Pulwama.
The Pakistan Government claimed, the strikes were an act of self defence and not an attempt to retaliate or wage a war with India. They said, the strikes were carried out to “demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence.” They also added, the strikes were undertaken after an open warning and in “broad daylight.”
The Pakistan Government also released a statement, which read, “If India is striking at so called terrorist backers without a shred of evidence, we also retain reciprocal rights to retaliate against elements that enjoy Indian patronage while carrying out acts of terror in Pakistan.”
In the statement, Pakistan Government further added, they do not want to call for a war and asked for a chance to make peace between India and Pakistan and resolve issues like “mature democratic nations.”
In order to keep the civilians safe, the Government of India, on the 27th of February, announced, the domestic flight services in Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar and Leh, will remain shut for three months. The decision was taken to ensure the safety of the citizens residing in these places, as these mentioned airports are close to the Pakistan border.
Pakistan also halted its civilian air services and airports in Lahore and Islamabad, post the airstrikes between India and Pakistan.
Stay tuned for further updates.
