The Indian Army, Air Force and Navy held a joint press conference on Thursday on the security situation amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. The IAF presented the wreckage of AM-RAAM missile as a conclusive evidence to show that Pakistan used F-16s to target Indian military installations. While Pakistan had earlier claimed that no F-16, which it has bought from the US, was part of the operation, India said one of the F-16 aircraft had been shot down during an air combat on Wednesday morning.

Use of F-16 violates US sale conditions of not letting Pakistan use the planes in an offensive role.

The aerial engagement on Wednesday also resulted in India losing an MiG-21 aircraft, which crashed on the other side of the Line of Control in Kashmir and its pilot getting captured by the Pakistan army. Wing Commander will Abhinandan Varthaman would be released on Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said, calling the decision a “gesture of peace”.

Addressing the press conference, however, Air Vice Marshal RGK Kapoor, Maj Gen Surinder Mahal and Rear Admiral Dalbir Singh Gujral suggested that India was not considering de-escalation yet, and said the three services were in a “heightened state of alert” and ready to give a befitting response to any misadventure by Pakistan.

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Shortly after the press conference, the Ministry of Defence released a joint statement of the armed forces.

Ministry of Defence held a presser today wherein #IndianAirForce @IAF_MCC ,#IndianArmy @adgpi and #IndianNavy @indiannavy addressed the Nation on the prevailing security situation. (1/n)
https://t.co/spfySSH4Wv@PMOIndia @nsitharaman @DefenceMinIndia @DrSubhashMoS

— Defence Spokesperson (@SpokespersonMoD) February 28, 2019

Here’s what the three service chiefs said in the statement.

Air Vice Marshall RGK Kapoor, Indian Air Force

On 27 Feb 19 at around 1000 hrs IAF radars detected a large package of PAF aircraft heading towards the Indian territory towards general area Jhangar. They breached the Indian airspace west of Rajauri in Sunderbani Area.

The ingressing aircraft were observed to be at various levels. IAF fighters including MiG-21 Bison, Su-30 MKI, Mirage-2000 were tasked to intercept the PAF aircraft.

The PAF aircraft attempting to target military installations were intercepted by IAF fighter aircraft which thwarted their plans. Although PAF bombs have fallen in Indian Army Formation compounds however they were unable to cause any damage to our Military Installations.

In the aerial combat that ensued one F-16 of PAF was shot down by an IAF MiG-21 Bison. The F-16 crashed and fell across the LOC in POJ&K.

The IAF lost one MiG-21 in the aerial engagement and though the Pilot ejected safely his parachute drifted into POJ&K where he was taken into custody by Pakistan Army.

There have been many factually incorrect statements that have been made by Pakistan.

a. The First blatant disinformation was that two IAF aircraft were shot down by Pakistan and three pilots were downed. This figure was later revised downwards to two IAF aircraft and two Pilots. The fact however, is that Indian Army units had reported sighting two parachutes falling in the POJ&K which were of two F-16 pilots shot down by the IAF MiG-21 Bison. Pakistan later in the evening changed its statement to say that one Indian pilot was in their custody. Therefore, it was only by late evening that Pakistan accepted the fact.

b. Secondly, Pakistan claimed that they intentionally dropped weapons in open space where there was no human presence or military posts. The fact is that the PAF aircraft targeted military installations. However they were intercepted by IAF fighter aircraft that thwarted their plans. Although PAF bombs have fallen in Indian Army Formation compounds however they were unable to cause any significant damage to our Military Installations due to swift IAF response.

c. Pakistan also stated that no F-16s were used in the operation and no Pakistani Plane was downed by Indian Air Force. There is enough evidence to show that F-16s were used in this mission and Pakistan is trying to hide this fact. Also, parts of AMRAAM Air to Air Missile which is carried only on the F-16s in PAF were recovered East of Rajauri within the Indian territory. Therefore, the fact remains that one F-16 of PAF was shot down by an IAF MiG-21 Bison aircraft.

d. IAF has recently learnt that Pakistan has announced that Wg Cdr Abhinandan will be returned to India tomorrow. IAF looks forward to the return of Wg Cdr Abhinandan.

Major General Surendra Singh Mahal, Indian Army

In response to the counter terrorist strike by the Indian Air Force, Pakistan Army first resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations in Sundarbani, Bhimbar Gali, Naushera and Krishna Ghati Sectors on 26 Feb 19 with effect from 5 ‘O’ Clock in the evening and again during the night. This was responded to by the Indian Army in a befitting and appropriate manner.

As my Air Force counterpart has elaborated, on 27 Feb 19, Pakistan Air Force attempted to target military establishments in J&K. Specifically, they targeted a Bde [Brigade] HQ, a Bn [Battalion] HQ, forward defences and a Lgs [Logistics] Installation. However, given the high level of preparedness along the Line of Control and the immediate and punitive response by own forces. The Pakistan Air Force’s designs were foiled.

We continue to maintain strict vigil along the Line of Control and the IB [International Border] Sector. Our Ground Based Air Defence Weapon Systems have been put on alert on all along the Line of Control and some parts of the IB. Mechanised Formations too have been placed on Standby. I wish to assure the nation that we are fully prepared and in a heightened state of readiness to respond to any provocation by Pakistan.

Despite the present turn of events, the Indian Army is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region and will continue to act against agencies who harbour inimical designs against India and citizens of our country.

Rear Admiral Dalbir Singh Gujral, Indian Navy

The Indian Navy is deployed in high state of readiness and remains poised in all the three dimensions – on surface, under-sea and in air to deter, prevent and defeat any misadventure by Pakistan in the maritime domain. I can assure of a resolute, swift and strong response when needed. We stand as one with the Army and Air Force to ensure the safety and security of the nation and our citizens.