By F-16 or JF-17, Delhi cannot deny PAF shot down 2 IAF aircraft in air battle over Kashmir: Pakistan military

Srinagar: Countering India’s claims of shooting down a Pakistani F-16, Pakistan’s military on Monday said New Delhi cannot deny that the PAF warplanes shot down two IAF aircraft in the February 27 air battle over Kashmir.

“The event of February 27 is part of history now. No Pakistani F-16 was hit by the Indian Air Force (IAF),” Pakistan military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement referencing the Indian claims, The Express Tribune reported.

“As regard PAF action for strikes across the LoC [Line of Control], it was done by JF-17 from within Pakistan airspace. Later when two Indian jets crossed the LoC, they were shot down by PAF.”

The military’s media wing added that whether F-16 or JF-17, the kind of aircraft the PAF used to shoot down two Indian jets is ‘immaterial’.

“Even if F-16 have been used, as at that point in time complete PAF was airborne including F-16s, the fact remains that Pakistan Air Force shot down two Indian jets in self defence,” the ISPR statement read.

“India can assume any type of their choice, even F-16. Pakistan retains the right to use anything and everything in its legitimate self-defence,” it concluded.