ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and AJK Premier Anwar ul Haq paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces for giving a befitting response through the Operation Swift Retort to India’s aggression on February 27, 2019, when New Delhi’s fighter jets violated the airspace and were shot down.

In their separate messages to mark the occasion, they praised the courage and professionalism of the Pakistan’s armed forces for defeating the enemy and sending a clear message to India that Pakistan’s armed forces are fully capable of countering any form of aggression.

In his message, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the professionalism and bravery of the armed forces.

“Six years ago today, on February 27, 2019, the Pakistan Air Force sent a clear message to the enemy that Pakistan possesses the full capability to defend its borders,” the prime minister said in a statement.

He said that by giving a befitting response to India’s aggression in the region, “our armed forces proved that our soldiers are always ready to safeguard Pakistan’s security”.

“During Operation Swift Retort, the Pakistan Air Force demonstrated its military capabilities and unwavering commitment to the defence of the homeland, sending a clear message to the enemy that the armed forces are fully capable of countering any form of aggression for national security,” the prime minister added.

Interior minister

In his message, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Pakistan Air Force defeated the enemy and gave a befitting response to its aggression, showcasing PAF’s exceptional professionalism and bravery.

He said the PAF is always ready to defend the country’s airspace, and the entire nation pays glowing tribute to PAF heroes who thwarted the nefarious designs of the enemy.

Mr Naqvi said the PAF, while demonstrating its professional capabilities, destroyed the arrogance of the enemy’s air power and wrote an unforgettable story of courage and bravery.

AJK prime minister

The prime minister of AJK, Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, said that PAF successfully shoot down an Indian Air Force fighter jet that violated the airspace near Bhimber area of Mirpur division on Feb 27, 2019.

Terming the shooting down of the IAF jet one of the brightest chapters in PAF’s history, the AJK prime minister said that it was on this day when the PAF launched a successful surprise attack, taking down the Indian fighter aircraft in a dogfight.

“Abhinandan, the pilot of the downed jets, was captured by the brave residents of Bhimber and handed over to the Pakistani forces,” the AJK prime minister said, adding that the incident would be remembered in the history as a symbol of courage and professional brilliance of armed forces of Pakistan.

The Operation Swift Retort not only dashed the enemy’s ambitions to the ground, but also proved the PAF’s brilliant capabilities, professionalism and integrity, the AJK premier said.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2025