Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday was rejected as “unfounded” Indian aircraft shot by an Indian pilot during the air battle in February 2019.
Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman (now captain of the group) shoots 16 jets during the air battle before the bison plane miG 21 was hit on February 27, 2019.
He was arrested by the Pakistani army and then released on March 1.
He was given to the VIR Chakra Award by President of RAM Nath Kovind on Monday to display the “extraordinary task taste” in Dogfight.
VIR Chakra is the highest galantry wartime award in India after PARAM VIR Chakra and Maha VIR Chakra.
“Pakistan firmly refused Indian claims which was completely unfounded that the Pakistani F-16 plane was shot down by an Indian pilot” in February 2019, said the foreign office in a statement.
“International experts and US officials have confirmed that there was no Pakistani F-16 who was shot down on that day, after taking the Pakistani F-16 plane,” it was claimed.
The release of the pilot “is a testimony of Pakistani desires for the peace of Indian hostility and aggressive acts that are not understood,” he added.
In the early hours of February 26, 2019, Jet IAF bombed Terror camps Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM) in Balaakot in Khyber Pakistan and reply to Denroris Pulwama attacks that claim the life of 40 CRPF personnel.
Intense air confrontation occurred between the two countries the next day, where Indian pilots were arrested and then released by Pakistan.
Strikes by Indian fighter aircraft in JEM terrorist training camp in Balakot and further retaliation of the Air Force Paccisture the following day triggered fears of war between two nuclear armed neighbors.