The Indian Air Force on Monday presented evidence about Pakistan’s F-16 being shot down by India’s Mig 21 Bison. The Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor, addressing a press conference said that PAF aircraft fired multiple AMRAAM missiles which were defeated by use of countermeasures and tactical maneuvers.
“The IAF has irrefutable evidence of not only the fact that F-16 was used by PAF on 27th of February but also that an IAF MiG 21 Bison shot down a PAF F-16,” the Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said.
The aerial combat resulted in the loss of one Mig 21 Bison piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan. It was shot down by one of the F-16’s used by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
Radar images shared show that the F-16 crashed and fell across the LOC in Pak-occupied J&K.
The IAF presented irrefutable evidence of the Pakistan F-16 going down but also that an IAF Mig 21 Bison shot down a PAF F-16. The IAF said there were three F-16 opposite Wing Commander Abhinandan.
Data of electronic emissions analysed shows that the aircraft picked up by the ELINT intercepts from AWACS and radio transcripts indicated F-16s in the area directly in front of WG CDR Abhinandan’s aircraft.
The IAF added that there is no doubt that two aircraft went down in the aerial engagement on the 27th of Feb, one of which was a Bison of the IAF, while the other was an F-16 of the PAF, conclusively identified by its electronic signature and radio transcripts.
It further said that there is sufficient evidence to prove the fact that PAF lost an F-16 on the 27th February chase.
Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor said, “The IAF has more credible information and evidence that is clearly indicative of the fact that PAF has lost one F-16 in the air action on 27th February, 2019. However, due to security and confidentiality concerns, we are restricting the info being shared in the public domain.”
The images clearly show how one of the Pakistani fighters suddenly went missing within seconds it was shot by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
The IAF said that the presence of two parachutes falling across Line of Control has been established but Pakistan has not revealed the identity of the other pilot. It was only Abhinandan who was identified by Pakistan after he was captured.
“The F-16 crashed and fell across the LOC in Pakistan-occupied J&K. The IAF lost one MiG21 in the aerial engagement and the pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan ejected safely but his parachute drifted into Pakistan’s territory where he was taken into custody by the Pakistani Army,” Air Vice Marshal Kapoor added.
Air Vice Marshal: DG-ISPR also stated on camera in press conference that they had 2 pilots,1 in custody&other admitted to hospital.Same was also corroborated by statement of Pak PM, all this proves total of 2 aircraft had gone down that day in same area separated by about 1.5 min https://t.co/F0oQYIUMq6
— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2019
A US magazine last week reported that the Washington’s assessment concluded that none of the F-16’s went missing, which the Pakistan Prime Minister and and international media sensationalized.
Later, Pentagon had to clarify that it had not yet counted the Pakistani F-16’s.
India’s response comes after Pakistan and International media denied losing a F-16 in the aerial combat.
Source : various