Award to Abhinandan
\n Islamabad
\nPakistan on Tuesday has categorically rejected the baseless Indian claims that a Pakistani F-16 aircraft was shot down by an Indian pilot before he was captured by Pakistan in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in February 2019.
\nPer a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the citation of the award to the downed Indian pilot, Abhinandan Varthamanm, is a \u201cclassic case of Indian fabrications and pure fantasy to appease the domestic audience and hide embarrassment.\u201d
\nInternational experts and US officials have already confirmed that no Pakistani F-16 was shot down on the day after taking stock of Pakistani F-16 aircraft.
\n\u201cIndia\u2019s insistence on propagating a lie that has been thoroughly exposed is ludicrous and nonsensical,\u201d the statement said, adding that granting military honours for imaginary feats of gallantry is contrary to every norm of military conduct.
\n\u201cBy giving such an award, also as an afterthought, India has only made a mockery of itself,\u201d the statement said.
\nIt is reminded that in a daring daylight action, two Indian aircraft were shot down by Pakistan Air Force on February 27, 2019. One of the Indian Mig-21 Bison aircraft fell down in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The pilot who ejected was captured by Pakistan and later released as a goodwill gesture. His return to India was the testimony of Pakistan\u2019s desire for peace despite India\u2019s hostility and ill-conceived aggressive action.
\nAnother Indian aircraft SU 30 shot down by Pakistan Air Force fell on the other side of the Line of Control (LOC). On the same day, in panic, the Indian military shot down its own MI 17 helicopter near Srinagar which it initially denied but accepted later on. Indian Air Force was completely outplayed on the day.
\n\u201cIt is obvious that India\u2019s farcical story has no credibility whatsoever before the international community,\u201d the statement further added.
\n\u201cOn its part, Pakistan stands as ready and resolute to thwart any hostile designs as it was in February 2019. India would do well to learn a lesson from its botched attempt to violate Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty and refrain from any misadventure in future.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Award to Abhinandan Islamabad Pakistan on Tuesday has categorically rejected the baseless Indian claims that a Pakistani F-16 aircraft was shot down by an Indian pilot before he was captured by Pakistan in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in February 2019. Per a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the citation of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":204867,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[763,20],"class_list":{"0":"post-229049","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news","8":"tag-mockery","9":"tag-pakistan"},"yoast_head":"\n