Pak Must Ensure Pilot in Custody Isn’t Harmed: Full MEA Statement
Retracting its earlier statement that two pilots were under its custody, Pak said it had arrested one Indian pilot.
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The Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday, 27 February, said it had advised Pakistan to ensure no harm comes to the IAF pilot in its custody and expects his immediate and safe return from Pakistan.
The MEA issued the statement after the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned by India and was demarched on the act of aggression against India by attacking military installations within the Indian territory.
The MEA statement also confirmed that the missing Indian Air Force pilot was in Pakistan’s custody.
Here’s the full statement:
“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.
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 was clearly conveyed that India reserves the right to take firm and decisive action to protect its national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity against any act of aggression or cross-border terrorism.
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.
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.”
Pak Attacked Indian Military Installations: MEA
In a joint press conference with the Indian Air Force earlier on Wednesday, the MEA said that Pakistan had attacked military installations in India to retaliate against IAF’s air strikes targeting terror camps in Balakot a day before.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed that India had “lost” one MiG 21 fighter jet in the process and the pilot is missing in action.
Here’s the full statement:
“India had informed about Counter Terrorism (CT) action it took yesterday (26 February) against a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan based on credible evidence that JeM intended to launch more attacks. Against this Counter Terrorism Action, Pakistan has responded this morning by using its Air Force to target military installations on the Indian side. Due to our high state of readiness and alertness, Pakistan’s attempts were foiled successfully.
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.”
Air Vice Marshall RGK Kapoor joined Kumar in the briefing.
One Pilot Captured, Says Pakistan
Backtracking from its earlier statement that two IAF pilots were under its custody, the Pakistan Army said on Wednesday it had arrested "only one" Indian pilot.
"There is only one pilot under Pakistan Army's custody. Wing Comd Abhinandan is being treated as per norms of military ethics," Pakistani military Spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said.
"I am an IAF officer. My service No is 27981," a blindfolded man – who identified himself as Wing Commander Abhinandan – said in a short video released by the Pakistan Army.
Earlier, Ghafoor claimed that two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots were arrested. One pilot is injured and has been shifted to a hospital, while another one is unhurt, the spokesperson had said.
In another video, the man refused to talk about the plane he was flying or talk about the mission. He said he was rescued from a mob by the Pakistan Army Captain. When asked about his identity, he said he was married.
The veracity of the video could not be ascertained.
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