The government on Wednesday confirmed that an Indian pilot is missing in action after a Mig-21 Bison fighter plane was lost while engaging with Pakistani jets after they violated Indian airspace.
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “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 Indian Air Force, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts.”
“India had informed about Counter-Terrorism (CT) action it took yesterday 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 statement said.
However, the Pakistani Army today claimed that they have shot down two Indian Air Force aircraft and have arrested two pilots of the IAF.