IAF pilot missing, says India; Pak claims he is in their custody

According to reports, an Indian Air Force pilot is missing after an Indian aircraft shot down Pakistani fighter aircraft that targetted a military installation in India.

The government called it the worst escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan in decades, a day after the Indian Air Force struck down a terror camp in Pakistan. In response to the air strike, Pakistan attempted to target military installations in the Indian side but their attempts were foiled. In the process, a pilot went missing from India.

Raveesh Kumar, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs 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."

Pakistan claimed that two IAF pilots have been captured by them. Pakistan's Major stated that two Indian pilots were taken into custody and they are being treated well. However, India has not mentioned anything about a second pilot. Reportedly, the captured pilot has been identified as Wing Commander Abhinandan.

#WATCH Raveesh Kumar, MEA: One Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by Indian Air Force. In this engagement, we have lost one MiG 21. Pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts. pic.twitter.com/Bm0nVChuzF

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019