India has demanded the immediate return of Wing Commander Abhinandan who was captured by Pakistan earlier on Wednesday. The MEA summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan and conveyed its strong objection to Pakistan's 'vulgar display' of an injured IAF officer in violation of all international norms.
Meanwhile, with the situation along the border threatening to spiral out of control, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has offered to settle the crisis with talks.
"If this escalates, it will no longer be in my control or in Narendra Modi's," he said.
The MEA spokesperson said at a press briefing that Pakistan's attempts to target India's military installations on Wednesday were foiled successfully.
One Pakistani F-16 was shot down by an Indian Air Force Mig-21 Bison, he said, adding that the aircraft was seen by ground forces falling on the Pakistan side.
"In this engagement, we have lost one MiG 21 and one pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are still ascertaining the facts," he added.
Tensions had escalated after Pakistan said it struck across the LoC in response to India's Balakot airstrike on Tuesday.
Pakistan said the strikes had been conducted from within its territory.
This was followed by further claims that it had shot down two IAF jets. Pakistan released a video of one 'Indian pilot' in support of its claims.
On the other hand, Britain's foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt Wednesday held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi to prevent a further escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
"I've been in touch with foreign minister Swaraj of India and foreign minister Qureshi of Pakistan. I've spoken to both of them about the situation. We are urging restraint on all sides," Hunt said in a statement issued by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
"The UK is very concerned about rising tensions in Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Both countries are good friends of the UK," he said.
Here are the key highlights:
"The United States is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India and Pakistan and calls on both sides to take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation," said an official of the National Security Council (NSC) of the White House.
Budget carrier Goair said it will allow rescheduling and cancellations for free up to March 15 to the defence personnel, and full-service airline Vistara said it will offer free cancellations with full refund for tickets booked to or from Amritsar, Jammu, Leh or Srinagar for travel up to Match 31.
Britain's foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt Wednesday held talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi to prevent a further escalation of tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the Pulwama attack.
"The service is continuing. Even today, 10 persons boarded the Lahore-bound bus," Manoj Kumar, the managing director of the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), told PTI.
People in two villages in this border area in Rajasthan saw cylindrical wreckage of metal objects falling from sky on Wednesday evening, with some claiming to have heard even explosions, leading to a panic situation in the wake of the ongoing confrontation between India and Pakistan, officials said.
Five videos were shot by Pakistani army and released on WhatsApp, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram as part of a psychological operation against the country, the officials said. "It is aimed to demoralise the forces and people," they said.
The dossier was handed over to the Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan, who was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs to lodge a strong protest over Pakistan Air Force targeting Indian military installations, a day after the Indian counter-terror action against the JeM.
Various airlines such as Air India, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines Wednesday announced they were rerouting their flights as Pakistan closed its airspace in the wake of escalating tensions with India.
Without providing specific details, the department said it unearthed clinching evidence of "huge unaccounted expenditure having been incurred in cash on the reconstruction and remodelling of the residential premises presently being used by the tax evader's family."
"I do hope that saner counsels will prevail between the leadership of the two countries and we will get back to the economic development, which is the basic requirement of India and Pakistan," the former PM said.
On Wednesday, Pakistan troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling and small arms firing on forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Mendhar, Balakote and Krishnagati sub-sector in Poonch district since 7 pm, officials said.
In a series of tweets late night, Jaitley questioned that when the whole nation has spoken in one voice, then why is "India's opposition alleging that the government is politicising our Anti-Terror Operations."
Railway Minister Piyush Goyal: We have not yet received any instructions from the authorities about any change to the current running of the Samjhauta Express, we will follow whatever directions are received in this regard. pic.twitter.com/kgbQtVwrbs
— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019
"We are working closely with international partners including through the UN Security Council to de-escalate tensions and are monitoring developments closely and considering implications for British nationals. UK is deeply concerned about rising tensions between India & Pakistan and urgently calls for restraint on both sides to avoid further escalation. We're in regular contact with both countries, urging dialogue and diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability," said PM Theresa May.
Wing Commander Abhinandan, son of a retired Air Marshal, who is in Pakistan's custody now is from Chennai. [CLICK HERE TO READ MORE]
India strongly objects to Pakistan's 'vulgar display' of an injured IAF officer in violation of all international norms: MEA
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh met top officials of army, paramilitary and the police to review the current situation in border areas.
India tells Pakistan envoy to ensure that no harm is caused to its IAF pilot Abhinandan in latter's custody. Demands immediate and safe return of pilot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a key meeting with security and intelligence officials after Pakistan Air Force violated Indian airspace on Wednesday.
In Kolkata on Wednesday, 14 Pakistan prisoners were segregated from Indians - a direct result of the escalation of the tensions between India and Pakistan on Wednesday, reports our correspondent there.
"If this (situation) escalates, it will no longer be in my control or in Narendra Modi's. All wars in world history have been miscalculated, those who started the wars did not know where it will end. So, I want to ask India, with the weapons you and we have, can we afford miscalculation," says Pakistan PM Imran Khan.
"If this (situation) escalates, it will no longer be in my control or in Narendra Modi's. All wars in world history have been miscalculated, those who started the wars did not know where it will end. So, I want to ask India, with the weapons you and we have, can we afford miscalculation, says Pakistan PM Imran Khan.
The Government of Nepal is concerned about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the terrorist attack on security convoy in Pulwama on February 14, 2019: Nepal Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
One Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by Indian Air Force. In this engagement we have lost one MiG 21. Pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts.
Aerial engagement resulted in the grounding of Pakistan aircraft by Indian MiGs which fell on the Pakistan side: MEA
MEA spokesperson and Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor address media in Delhi pic.twitter.com/0RGtbUu7VB
— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019
NIA carries out searches at 11 locations in South Kashmir including houses of separatist leaders in connection with the Pulwama terror attack on CRPF convoy, killing over 40 jawans on February 14.
Orders on the shutdown of nine airports in North India have been withdrawn, says the DGCA. Operations at all the airports have resumed as of now
Internet services have been suspended in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. Schools, colleges and offices shut in PoK
Air India will be avoiding route of Pakistan air space with immediate effect, an Air India official said. India use Pakistan airspace for flights to Gulf countries, Europe and USA.
China’s Foreign Ministry has reiterated its call for India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, according to Reuters.
Himachal Pradesh: Flight operations temporarily suspended at Shimla, Bhuntar and Gagal airports
