Pakistan's Claim Of Shooting Down Indian Fighter Jet Busted, IAF Flies Same Sukhoi During Air Force Day

In an utter surprise to Pakistan, the Indian Air Force flew the same Sukhoi-MKI on Tuesday which Pakistan claims it shot down after India dropped bombs on terror launch pads in Balakot in February. The Indian Air Force made ‘Avenger’ Formation over Hindon air base near Delhi in which three nimble Mirage Aircraft were flanked by two larger Sukhoi-30MKIs. On February 27, Pakistan claimed that it had shot down Indian jet after Indian jets dropped Israeli-made Spice bombs on Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group in Balakot, reports NDTV.

Moreover, the ‘Avenger-1’ was piloted by same two pilots who went deep inside Pakistan to drop bombs on terror launch pads in February. 

The Indian Air Force today celebrates its 87th year of establishment. Every year, the Air Force Day is celebrated at Hindon base in presence of IAF chief and senior officials of the three-armed forces. The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932, and the force has participated in several crucial wars and landmark missions. 

“Present security environment in the neighbourhood is a serious cause of concern. The Pulwama attack is a stark reminder of the persistent threat to defence installations,” Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said. 

“Strategic relevance of this (Balakot airstrike) is the resolve of political leadership to punish perpetrators of terrorism. There is a major shift in govt’s way of handling terrorist attacks,” Air Chief added. 

The IAF was founded on October 8, 1932, and the force has participated in several crucial wars and landmark missions. Also, today Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will receive the first of the 36 Rafale aircraft in the French port city of Bordeaux, where he will perform ‘Shastra Puja’ on the occasion of Dussehra and take a sortie in the fighter jet.