ISLAMABAD – The nation is celebrating ‘Surprise Day’ today to pay tributeto the retaliatory attack by Pakistan Air Force after India’s botchedBalakot airstrike on February 26 last year.
It was on this day last year when the PAF carried out Operation SwiftRetort and shot down two Indian Air Force fighter aircraft.
The operation resulted in the capture of an Indian pilot, Wing CommanderAbhinandan Varthaman, after his Mig-21 was shot down. The pilot was laterhanded over to Indian authorities as ‘a goodwill gesture’.
Throughout the crisis, Pakistan Armed Forces displayed full combatreadiness and acted with a high degree of inter-service harmony.
Pakistan’s actions during the standoff demonstrated that aggression towardsmotherland will not be tolerated and the armed forces are ever ready andfully capable to foil any kind of aggression.
Addressing a ceremony in connection with 27th February in Islamabad today,Air Chief Mujahid Anwar Khan said Pakistan Air Force along with otherservices is fully prepared to counter any threat to the country.
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He said we will not make any compromise on the sovereignty and territorialintegrity of Pakistan.
To mark the day, Pakistan Air Force staged an impressive air show at seaview beach in Karachi today.
The Air Show included special fly pasts and formations by F-16, Mirage andJF-17 Thunder jets while PAF helicopters also presented a fly past to paytribute to the armed forces.
The show also included special performance by Sherdil Squad of Air Force,demonstrating aerobatics formations and spreading colors of national flagin the air.
