New Delhi: India and Pakistan – both nuclear states — were engaged in a dangerous game of brinkmanship on the second day of the surgical strike, claiming that each had shot down the other’s aircraft. Three Pakistan Air Force jets violated Indian airspace in Nowshera sector of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir and tried to attack Indian military installations; one of the jets was shot down by a MiG-21 Bison in an aerial engagement.
But India lost a MiG 21, too, and its pilot was captured when he dropped on the other side of the Line of Control. In the evolving situation, with no statement initially forthcoming from the Indian government, Pakistan tried to seize the psychological advantage by claiming it had downed two aircraft, and even paraded a captured pilot.
The initial burst of activity came with a warning that Pakistan will escalate the conflict ‘‘if it had to,’’ reinforcing fears of a full-fledged war. India confirmed the loss of one of its planes later in the day, as the conflict played itself out on national television with social media swamped with fake videos.
In a sign of the deepening crisis, Pakistan closed its airspace ‘until further notice’. At least six airports were shut down in India as well with airspace north of New Delhi being closed to civilian flights. Later, the local air embargo was called off, much to the relief of domestic circuit.
In the first official statement – which came as late as 3.15pm, MEA spokesman Rajeesh Kumar told media persons that the Pakistan jet was downed as it took part in an operation ‘‘to target military installations on the Indian side.’’ This was also the first confirmation of retaliation on the part of Islamabad.
However, even this assertion was disputed by the Pakistan military and its spokesperson claimed two Indian MiGs were shot down when they ‘‘crossed our border.’’ The claims and counter claims added to the confusion and if that were not enough action for a day, an Indian Army MI- 17 chopper happened to crash in Budgam in Kashmir, exploding in flames, killing six persons on board, including 5 IAF officers.
The crash was attributed to a technical glitch. It is possible though that one of the aircraft the Pakistan army claimed to have downed.
