The government expects the immediate safe return of Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan by Pakistan after the air combat between the two nations.

India summoned the Pakistani envoy this evening and lodged a protests over the “unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan” saying that the jets targeted military installations in India a day after India’s air strike to target a terror camp in Balakot.

India’s statement reads, “India also strongly objects to Pakistan’s vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody.”

Pakistan has claimed that it has captured a military pilot and said that he is being treated “as per norms of military ethics”.

Pakistan’s Aggression

Pakistan claims that it carried out “strikes across Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace”. They further added that it was “not retaliation” and it had “no intention of escalation”, but a demonstration that it was fully prepared to do so if forced.

In response, the India’s foreign ministry spokesperson said that our pilot was “missing in action” after shooting down a Pakistani aircraft that was targeting Indian military installations. The Pakistani F-16 aircraft, shot down by the MiG Bison, crashed in Pakistani territory in the Lam Valley area.

Soon after the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan’s address was televised, he calling for a dialogue between the two nations.

Amid high tensions India’s prime minister Narendra Modi met with the military chiefs, the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Defence and Foreign Secretaries and intelligence officials.

India has been on high alert amid warnings of retaliation by Islamabad after Indian Air Force jets destroyed three terror camps in Pakistan. India called the air strikes “non-military and pre-emptive” strike based on credible inputs that Jaish-e-Mohammed was training suicide bombers for more attacks like Pulwama.

What is the Geneva Convention?

The Geneva Conventions were signed by world leaders in 1949 following the horrors of the second world war. 196 countries supported the treaty.

The Geneva Conventions extensively defined the basic rights of wartime prisoner, including civilians and military personnel, established protections for the wounded and sick, and established measures to safeguard civilians in and around a war-zone.