Pakistan has categorically rejected the entirely baseless Indian claimsthat a Pakistani F-16 aircraft was shot down by an Indian pilot before hewas captured by Pakistan in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in February 2019.
In a statement on Tuesday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar saidthe citation of the award to the downed Indian pilot is a classic case ofIndian fabrications and pure fantasy to appease domestic audience and hidethe embarrassment.
The spokesperson said international experts and U.S. officials have alreadyconfirmed that no Pakistani F-16 was shot down on the day, after takingstock of Pakistani F-16 aircraft.
India’s insistence on propagating a lie that has been thoroughly exposed isludicrous and nonsensical.
Asim Iftikhar said granting a military honours for imaginary feats ofgallantry is contrary to every norm of military conduct.
He said by giving such award, also as an afterthought, India has only madea mockery of itself.
Foreign Office Spokesman said it is obvious that India’s farcical story hasno credibility whatsoever before the international community.
The spokesperson reminded that in a daring day light action, two Indianaircraft were shot down by Pakistan Air Force on 27 February 2019.
One of the Indian Mig-21 Bison aircraft fell down in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
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The pilot who ejected was captured by Pakistan and later released as agoodwill gesture.
His return to India was testimony of Pakistan’s desire for peace despiteIndia’s hostility and ill-conceived aggressive action.
The spokesperson said another Indian aircraft SU 30 shot down by PakistanAir Force fell on the other side of LOC.
On the same day, in panic, Indian military shot down its own MI 17helicopter near Srinagar which initially denied, was accepted later on.
He said Indian Air Force was completely outplayed on the day.
The spokesperson said Pakistan on its part stands ready and resolute tothwart any hostile designs.
He said India would do well to learn a lesson from its botched attempt toviolate Pakistan’s sovereignty and refrain from any misadventure in future.