Pakistan Claims Taking Indian Air Force Wing Commander In Its Custody; India To Issue Official Statement At 3.15 PM

Amid ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan after Indian strike on Jaish-e-Muhammad terror camps in Balakot, Pakistan military has claimed that it has arrested two Indian pilots after shooting down an Indian Air Force jet on Wednesday (27 February) morning, reports News 18.

Claims of one Indian pilot being in Pakistani custody has been confirmed by Indian journalists. The pilot has been identified as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who flies MiG-21 Bison. Indian government is expected to issue a briefing at 3.15 pm.

Head of the media wing of the Pakistani military Major General Asif Ghafoor, in a press conference, said that one of the pilots was hospitalised as he received injuries while the other is being held by Pakistani security forces.

A video is also circulating on the social media claiming to be that of an Indian pilot in Pakistani custody.

However, there is no official confirmation from the India regarding Indian Air Force’s pilots being apprehended by Pakistani side.

The claims by Pakistani military came just after India shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet that violated the Indian air space in Kashmir. A parachute was reportedly seen when the Pakistani jet went down but the fate of the pilot is unknown.