‘Question of downing two Indian jets by F-16 or JF-17 meaningless’

RAWALPINDI: The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Monday said that any claims from India, would not change of result of the air battle of February 27 when jet fighters of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two Indian aircraft when they just crossed the Line of Control (LoC).

The ISPR, the media wing of armed forces on Monday, referred to Indian claims about shooting down of Pakistani F-16 by India and use of F-16 in air battle on February 27. “It is meaningless question that two Indian aircraft were shot down by Pakistan’s F-16 aircraft or JF-17 Thunders,” the ISPR statement said, adding that both Indian aircraft were hit by PAF jet fighters in defence.

The statement issued by the ISPR said that no Pakistani F-16 was hit by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The statement, however, maintained that all types of PAF aircraft including F-16 were also in the air when the Indian planes came on February 27. “Even if India wish to choose F-16 or any other aircraft were used by PAF, then it will not change the result that two Indian planes were shot down by us on February 27,” the statement from the ISPR said, adding it were two Indian jet fighters which were targeted even if F-16s were used.

It says that February 27 incident was now history but targets across the LoC were hit by JF-17 Thunders while remaining in Pakistan’s airspace. “The PAF then hit two Indian aircraft as they violated Pakistan’s air space," it said.

The ISPR maintained that Pakistan reserved the right to make use its every capability for the sake of their defence.