Beijing (Web Desk): Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj says her country does not wish to see further escalation with Pakistan.
Swaraj, who is in China with her counterparts from Beijing and Moscow, termed Tuesday’s strikes by Indian aircraft within the Pakistani airspace as “pre-emptive” and said India will continue to act with “responsibility and restraint.”
"India does not wish to see further escalation of this situation. India will continue to act with responsibility and restraint,” she said.
The development came after Pakistan Air Force shot down Indian two aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace and arrested one pilot.
“In response to PAF strikes this morning as released by MoFA, IAF crossed LOC. PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor said in a tweet. “One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K while other fell inside IOK. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area,” he added.
Meanwhile, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that a MiG 21 was shot down and its pilot is missing.
“We unfortunately lost one MiG-21 in this engagement and an Indian pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims the pilot is in their custody, however we are ascertaining the facts,” said Indian MEA spokesperson while addressing a press conference on Wednesday.
Earlier, Indian media confirmed that an Indian Air Force (IAF) wing commander is in Pakistan's custody.
India media reports stated IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan took off in a MiG 21 Bison jet and is yet to return. Wing Commander Abhinandan is the son of a retired Indian Air Marshal, the reports added.