IAF officer busts Pakistan's lies, says F-16 was shot
What's the story
Indian Army's Major General Surendra Singh Mahal, Navy's Rear Admiral Dalbir Singh Gujral and Air Force's AVM RGK Kapoor addressed the media a short while ago. Kapoor started the address by speaking on the Pakistan's breaching Indian airspace on Wednesday. He said PAF jets wanted to target our military installments, but were intercepted by IAF. One F-16 jet of Pakistan was shot down in aerial engagement.
Twitter Post
US-made F-16 shot by IAF, here's the proof
Visuals of cover of AARAM missile fired from Pakistani F-16 aircraft found near the LoC in India pic.twitter.com/qHdOm5cDqN
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019
Information
Pakistan targeted military establishments, confirms Kapoor
Kapoor maintained that Pakistan lied blatantly by saying two pilots were in its custody and later retracted its statement. While Pakistan claimed it dropped bombs at the open area, the truth is PAF targeted Indian military. However, due to IAF intervention, no damage was caused.
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You can read IAF's full statement here
JUST IN: Here’s the Indian Air Force’s official statement out now. pic.twitter.com/l6rJkssOFV
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) February 28, 2019
Army
Indian Army is ready to protect nation: Major General
We are ready to face any act of aggression, added Major General Surendra Singh Mahal. He said the series of events are well known to all and the Army is committed to ensuring national security is not jeopardized under any condition. Pakistan violated ceasefire in many areas in the last few days and received a timely response, Major General added.
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Navy sends a strong message as well
Navy Rear Admiral DS Gujral: We are ready for any misadventure by Pakistan and we are ready for resolute action. We want to ensure safety and security of our citizens pic.twitter.com/6s4v1HIXEn
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019
Message
On probability of war, here's what officers said
When asked if India would see Pakistan's action as an act of war, Mahal answered, "No doubt Pakistan has attempted to target our military installations." On the doubts about the airstrikes in Balakot and the number of people who were killed, Kapoor said, "Weapons hit the intended target. Whatever we intended to destroy, we have." However, it would be pre-mature to comment on numbers.
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We won't stop targeting terrorism: Mahal
Major General Surendra Singh Mahal: As long as Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists, we will continue to target the terror camps pic.twitter.com/IOl8768FxU
— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2019
What happened
Backstory: Pakistan announced it would release IAF pilot tomorrow
The press briefing of officers comes after Pakistan announced it would release captured IAF pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan called it a "peace gesture". Wing Commander Varthaman went on the wrong side of the border after PAF and IAF were locked in fierce air combat on Wednesday. India had slammed Pakistan's aggression and asked it to return him unharmed.
Dossier
To highlight Jaish's action, India handed over dossier to Pakistan
When the Pakistani envoy was summoned by India on Wednesday, the government also handed a dossier on Jaish-e-Mohammed's involvement in Pulwama attack. The dossier had extensive details of the Balakot camp, which IAF demolished in an overnight operation on Tuesday, and insights of the route JeM's terrorists used to infiltrate Jammu and Kashmir. A Pakistani newspaper's report on Balakot camp was also attached.