Voice of America
23 Nov 2021, 23:36 GMT+10
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan rejected as "entirely baseless" India's renewed claims that an Indian pilot shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet during a February 2019 aerial skirmish between the two nuclear powers.
Tuesday's reaction came a day after the Indian president awarded pilot Abhinandan Varthaman the country's third-highest honor for displaying "exceptional resolve in dealing with the adversary in a brave and dignified manner." The ceremony in New Delhi was also attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top military officials.
"The citation of the award to the downed Indian pilot is a classic case of Indian fabrications and pure fantasy to appease domestic audience and hide the embarrassment," said a Pakistan Foreign Ministry statement.
Indian Air Force officials at the time said that Varthaman managed to shoot down a Pakistani F-16 during the Feb. 27 aerial battle, before his own plane took a missile hit and he ejected safely into the Pakistan-ruled part of the disputed Kashmir region. Islamabad swiftly denied Indian claims.
The Indian pilot was taken into custody by Pakistani troops and released two days later, bringing the two countries back from the brink of war.
"International experts and U.S. officials have already confirmed that no Pakistani F-16 was shot down on the day, after taking stock of Pakistani F-16 aircraft," Pakistan's Foreign Ministry asserted in its statement Tuesday.
"Granting military honors for imaginary feats of gallantry is contrary to every norm of military conduct," it said, adding that Varthaman's repatriation was testimony of Pakistan's "desire for peace despite India's hostility."
The Indian air force recently promoted the pilot to the rank of group captain while Pakistani pilots who downed Varthaman's plane have also been given prestigious military awards.
The February 2019 dogfight erupted hours after India carried out a cross-border airstrike against alleged militant camps in Pakistan blamed for a recent suicide bombing in the Indian-ruled part of Kashmir that killed 40 Indian soldiers.
Islamabad rejected New Delhi's claims, saying the Indian strike caused no damage on the ground nor were there any militants.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars and their dispute over Kashmir remains the primary source of diplomatic and military tensions.
Get a daily dose of Santa Barbara Post news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Santa Barbara Post.
More InformationATLANTA, Georgia: After two years of declining same-store sales, Home Depot finally saw a turnaround in the fourth quarter, fueled...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks rallied on Friday as economic data showed the U.S. Federal Reserve has likely tamed inflation. The...
WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Federal Reserve seemingly has inflation under control with the latest econbomic data confirming little push...
Ramadewa looked at the numerous troops of monkeys. They were at ease and happy and showed their liveliness. All their movements, their...
NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks floundered on Thursday as new trade tariffs were imposed, and those paused were given the green light. ...
LONDON, U.K.: Despite regulatory efforts, unauthorized disposable vapes continue to dominate a significant portion of the U.S. e-cigarette...
MEXICO CITY, Mexico: Three American women were found dead over the weekend at a beach resort in Belize, police said. Officials are...
BANGKOK, Thailand: Chinese authorities said they started live-fire military exercises in the Gulf of Tonkin this week, just days after...
ABOARD THE CHARLES DE GAULLE, Philippines: France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its warships arrived in the Philippines over...
FRESNO, California: Fresno State suspended two of its top men's basketball players last weekend and removed a third player from the...
WARSAW, Poland: Deputy Prime Minister Krzysztof Gawkowski confirmed over the weekend that Poland has been covering the cost of Ukraine's...
Israel sustained the West's support for its slaughter in Gaza for 15 months only through an intensive campaign of lies. It invented...