India’s confirmation comes hours after Pakistan put out a video of the captured pilot.
India’s confirmation comes hours after Pakistan put out a video of the captured pilot.
The Indian government has confirmed that an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot has gone missing in action and has acknowledged that Pakistan has claimed that the pilot is in their captivity. The captured IAF pilot is Abhinandan Varthaman, a MiG 21 Bison pilot.
"India had informed about counter terrorism (CT) action it took yesterday (Tuesday) 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," 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 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," the MEA spokesperson added.
This comes after Pakistan put out a video of the captured IAF pilot. Pakistan has claimed that two IAF pilots have been captured by them. Pakistan’s Major General Asif Ghafoor, the director general (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Two Indian pilots were taken into custody and they are being treated well: one is injured and is being provided proper medical care.”
The video shows the blindfolded pilot, wearing military apparel. Abhinandan has his hands tied from behind and he is also bleeding from the nose. The pilot in the video states, “I have got hurt.” Prompted by a man behind the camera to talk from the beginning, he says, “My name is Wing Commander Abhinandan. My service number is 27981. I’m a flying pilot. My religion is Hindu.”
He is then prompted once more, to which he replies, “I’m sorry sir, that’s all I am allowed to tell you.” Someone asks, “Squadron?” to which the ‘captured’ man says, “I’m not supposed to tell you that no.”
The video concludes with the man saying, “May I request a little information? Am I with the Pakistani army?”
A Pakistani journalist also put out pictures of Wing Commander Abhinandan.