The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Tuesday, 5 March, dismissed Pakistan’s purported claim of shooting down a Sukhoi Su-30 as “false”, adding that it “appears to be a cover-up for loss of its own aircraft.”
In a statement detailing what happened on 27 February, when the air forces of the two countries engaged in an aerial dogfight, the IAF said that its Su-30 aircraft that engaged in combat had landed back safely.
The statement counters the claims that surfaced on Pakistani media, which said that a Su-30 aircraft was shot down by Pakistan on 27 February. Earlier, Pakistan had also officially said that its air force had shot down two IAF jets and captured two Indian pilots. Later, it backtracked on its claim to say that only one pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was in its custody.
The IAF statement further pointed out that the use of F-16 by the Pakistan Air Force and multiple launches of AMRAAM (Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile) were “conclusively observed” during combat.
“Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile. Part of the missile fell in the area east of Rajouri in J&K, injuring a civilian on the ground.”IAF statement
The IAF further said that PAF aircraft were “engaged effectively” in their attempt to attack the Indian ground targets. To counter this, the IAF had deployed Mirage-200, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft. “The PAF aircraft were forced to withdraw in a hurry, also evident from large missed distances of weapons dropped by them.”
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)