Samajwadi Party (SP) chief took to twitter on Tuesday, February 27 and wrote that he is praying for the safe return of an Indian Air Force pilot who has gone missing in action following an engagement with Pakistan in which a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet was shot down.
Yadav wrote, “I am praying for the safe return of our brave pilot. May God protect you and give you courage and strength. The nation stands with you.”
I am praying for the safe return of our brave pilot. May God protect you and give you courage and strength. The nation stands with you.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) February 27, 2019
While Pakistan has claimed that they have two IAF pilots in their custody, the same has not been confirmed by Indian officials yet. In a very brief press statement, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, accompanied by Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, said details are being ascertained about Pakistan’s claim of having captured one Indian pilot.
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“In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21 Bison of the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side.
“In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts,” Kumar said.
(With PTI inputs)