New Delhi/Islamabad: A day after Indian Air Force (IAF) bombed Balakot, Pakistan claimed it shot down two IAF jets and captured pilots - a claim vehemently rejected by India.
After Islamabad released a statement claiming "strikes across Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace", New Delhi said "all our pilots are accounted for".
The statement came soon after Pakistan said it undertook strikes across the LoC from Pakistani airspace.
"Sole purpose of this action was to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We do not wish to escalate but are fully prepared if forced into that paradigm," said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Later, Pakistan also released a video, claiming it is of IAF fighter pilot in custody.
In the video, a blindfolded man says he is Wing Commander Abhinandan and a pilot. He also says his service number is 27981, and asks if he is with the Pakistan Army.
Earlier, Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed at a news conference on Wednesday that Pakistan's Air Force struck six targets in India -- but not military targets -- and that two Indian aircraft then tried to enter Pakistan. He claimed the two planes were shot down -- one of them in Pakistani territory.
Ghafoor said two pilots were arrested, and one of them, who was injured, was taken to hospital. He said Pakistan took action in self-dense and did not want to celebrate victory.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is meeting with top officials including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, the Defence and Foreign Secretaries and intelligence officials.
Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar and Jaipur airports have all closed due to security reason.
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India confirms "pre-emptive strike" in Balakot, Pakistan
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