Irrelevant whether Indian planes that violated LoC were targeted by F-16s or JF-17s: ISPR

Published April 1, 2019
In this Feb 27 file photo, Pakistan Army soldiers stand near the wreckage from one of the Indian aircraft shot down by the PAF. — Photo: ISPR
In this Feb 27 file photo, Pakistan Army soldiers stand near the wreckage from one of the Indian aircraft shot down by the PAF. — Photo: ISPR

The military's media wing on Monday said that it was meaningless to question whether Pakistan used JF-17 Thunder aircraft or US-built F-16 jets to shoot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) warplanes that violated Pakistani airspace on February 27, saying Pakistan has the right to use any of its abilities for self-defence.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in its statement sought to address repeated claims by the Indian government and media that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) had used F-16 jets in the dogfight with Indian aircraft and that a Pakistani F-16 jet was shot down by Indian pilots.

"The February 27 incident has become a part of history now," the ISPR statement said, reiterating that no PAF F-16 was hit by Indian forces.

It explained that PAF JF-17 Thunders jets had carried out strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) that day from inside the Pakistani airspace, in response to the Indian strikes in Balakot a day earlier.

Later, when two Indian jets violated the LoC after the Pakistani strikes, they were shot down by the PAF.

"Whether it was F-16 or JF-17 which shot down 2 Indian aircraft is immaterial," the military's media wing said.

"When the Indian planes crossed [the LoC] all of PAF's airplanes including F-16s were airborne," it added.

Read: Deal allows Pakistan to use F-16s as ‘deterrence against India’

The ISPR emphasised that India could "assume any type of their choice [of the PAF jets]" but that would not change the end result of the dogfight that took place in February.

"Even if F-16[s] have been used ... the fact remains that Pakistan Airforce shot down two Indian jets in self-defence," it said.

"Pakistan retains the right to use anything and everything in its legitimate self-defence."

Following the conflict between the two countries in February, India had claimed that the PAF had used the F-16 warplane to target Indian military installations after crossing the LoC. For “proof” a piece of an apparent missile was shown, which the Indian media said could only have been used by an F-16.

It also claimed that before an Indian plane was shot down and its pilot captured by Pakistani forces, an IAF MiG Bison had shot down a PAF F-16 aircraft. Pakistan had denied the Indian claims.

New Delhi had insisted that Pakistan’s alleged use of F-16 against India meant that Islamabad stood in violation of a sales agreement with the US.

The US State Department had refused to take a position on India's complaint against Pakistan over using F-16s in the air battle. However, Dawn had reported last month that Washington while providing F-16 fighter jets to Islamabad not only acknowledged the aircraft’s “deterrence value” to Pakistan in a future conflict with India but also noted that it could prevent a nuclear clash between the two neighbours.

Also, New York Times journalist Maria Abi-Habib had quoted US sources as saying "if India entered Pakistani airspace for a second day, and Pakistan used the [F-16] jet defensively, the contract wasn’t violated. But, if Pakistan used an F-16 to attack India first, then deal was violated.”

The ISPR statement comes two days after India reportedly shared "critical evidence" with the US that the PAF had used F-16 fighters to strike targets in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, according to a Hindustan Times report.

Quoting unnamed government officials, the newspaper said India had shared evidence, including call signs associated with PAF F-16s and "specific details" of the AIM-120-C5 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAMs) which New Delhi alleged Pakistan had used, with the US through "institutionalised intelligence channels".

Opinion

Editorial

A positive note
Updated 10 Feb, 2025

A positive note

With govt unable to press growth accelerator without upending fragile recovery, sufferings of low-middle-income households are unlikely to disappear soon.
Held back
10 Feb, 2025

Held back

IT is a crying shame how women are conspicuously absent from Pakistan’s civil services. Despite comprising half ...
Justice for all
10 Feb, 2025

Justice for all

ALONG with his domestic agenda, Donald Trump is busy ripping to shreds the post-World War II ‘rules-based...
Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...