Full Text: India foils Pakistan’s attempt to target its military installations; MiG 21 pilot is missing in action, confirms MEA

India on Wednesday foiled Pakistan’s attempt to target its military installations and shot down one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft.

Briefing media in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, after India’s air strikes on Tuesday, Pakistan has responded Wednesday morning by using its Air Force but due to India’s high state of readiness, the neighbouring country’s attempts were foiled successfully.

He said, the Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. The spokesperson said, in this engagement, the country has unfortunately lost one MiG 21 and the pilot is missing in action.

He, however, said, Pakistan has claimed that the pilot is in their custody. The spokesperson said, New Delhi is 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 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.