RAWALPINDI – Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)—in a press release—onMonday dismissed Indian claims of shooting down Pakistan Air Force (PAF)F-16 fighter jet while apprising that strikes across Line of Control (LoC)were carried out by indigenous JF-17 Thunder.

The press release stated, “Reference repeated Indian claims about shootingdown of Pakistani F-16 by India and use of F16 in air battle on 27February. The event of 27 Feb is part of history now. No Pakistani F16 washit by Indian air-force.

“As regard PAF action for strikes across LOC it was done by JF-17 fromwithin Pakistan airspace. Later when 2 Indian jets crossed LOC they wereshot down by PAF. Whether it was F-16 or JF-17 which shot down 2 Indianaircrafts is immaterial. Even if F-16 have been used as at that point intime complete PAF was airborne including F16s, the fact remains thatPakistan Airforce shot down two Indian jets in self defence. India canassume any type of their choice even F-16.

“Pakistan retains the right to use anything and everything in itslegitimate self defence.”

On Feb-27, IAF lost Mig-21 and Su-30 in dogfight with PAF after former’saircraft attempted to violate Pakistani airspace.