New Delhi:
Amid a sharp spike in tensions between the two neighbouring countries, Pakistan's unprovoked violations of Indian airspace added fuel to already worst situation. However, the pictures released by the Indian Army showed nothing but a series of craters with no sign of damage to any life and property even after Pakistan reportedly dropped several bombs near the army post in Poonch and Nowshera sectors of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.
"Jammu and Kashmir: Pictures of craters formed from Pakistani bombs dropped near Indian Army post in Rajouri sector," the news agency ANI reported while posting a couple of pictures of the craters.
J&K: First pictures of craters formed from Pakistani bombs dropped near Indian Army post in Rajouri sector.
— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) February 27, 2019
Photos: ANI
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Soon after, the Pakistan Air Force’s F-16 fighter jet was shot down in Indian retaliatory fire 3 KM within Pakistan territory in Lam valley, Nowshera sector.
Pakistan said that its jets crossed the Line of Control (LoC) to undertake strikes in India for "self-defence". Indian officials said Pakistani fighter jets violated Indian air space in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Nowshera sectors but were pushed back by Indian aircraft.
Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement said, "Today, Pakistan Air Force undertook strikes across Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace. This was not a retaliation to continued Indian belligerence".
"Pakistan has therefore, taken strikes at non-military target, avoiding human loss and collateral damage. Sole purpose being to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self-defence. We have no intention of escalation, but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm".
"That is why we undertook the action with clear warning and in broad daylight. For the last few years, India has been trying to establish what they call 'a new normal' a thinly veiled term for doing acts of aggression at whatever pretext they wish on a given day".
"If India is striking at so called terrorist backers without a shred of evidence, we also retain reciprocal rights to retaliate against elements that enjoy Indian patronage while carrying out acts of terror in Pakistan. We do not wish to go to that route and wish that India gives peace a chance and to resolve issues like a mature democratic nation," it added.
The series of strikes came amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the February 14 suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group that killed as many as 42 CRPF jawans in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.
