Pakistani jets violate Indian airspace: what the government statement said

The Government of India said on Wednesday that Pakistan’s attempt to use its Air Force against military targets on the Indian side had been foiled, a day after India’s strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed training camp in Pakistan. It also confirmed that one Indian aircraft had been lost and its pilot was missing.

Key points of the statement

• India said it had already informed others of the counter-terrorism action it took the previous day against a JeM camp, based on credible information that the group planned more attacks.
• In response, Pakistan used its Air Force on Wednesday morning to target military installations in India. Because Indian forces were on high alert, the attempt was thwarted.
• The Pakistani aircraft were detected and the IAF responded at once. In the aerial engagement, a MiG 21 Bison of the IAF shot down a Pakistan Air Force fighter, which ground forces saw falling on the Pakistani side.
• India lost one MiG 21 in the engagement. The pilot was missing in action, Pakistan claimed he was in its custody, and India said it was ascertaining the facts.

What happened next

The Indian Air Force strike at Balakot had taken place on 26 February 2019. Pakistan returned Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman on 1 March 2019.

See also: election news.

Originally published on 27 February 2019. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.

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