India-Pakistan Tension: Meeting of 3 Military Chiefs With PM Modi Ends

The meeting of 3 military chiefs with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened to review security situation after Pakistan violated airspace today, has ended.

The Director General, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asif Ghafoor has backtracked from its earlier claim that it has two IAF personnel in its custody. In a second statement issued later the Pakistan Army spokesperson, he said that only 1 IAF pilot has been taken into custody.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi expressed concern over the missing IAF pilot, who Pakistan claims to have taken into its custody. The top Opposition leader said that he hopes the missing pilot would return home soon.

Twitter, which is often dominated by jingoist micro-bloggers, sounded a message of peace on Wednesday. Even as clamour grows for war on both sides of the border, #SayNoToWar began trending on the social media site. Read full report.

Hours after the aerial engagement between Indian and Pakistani forces at the LoC, India has summoned the Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah to register its complaint.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday confirmed the Indian Air Force foiled Pakistan Air Force's bid to enter the Indian airspace. An IAF pilot went missing during the engagement, said the MEA. Below is the full statement released by the ministry:

India had informed about Counter Terrorism (CT) action it took yesterday against a training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Pakistan based on credible evidence that JeM intended to launch more attacks. Against this Counter Terrorism Action, Pakistan has responded this morning by using its Air Force to target military installations on the Indian side. Due to our high state of readiness and alertness, Pakistan’s attempts were foiled successfully.

The Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly. In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21 Bison of the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts.

Amid escalating tensions after an airstrike by the Indian Air Force on Jaish-e-Mohammed's biggest training camp in Balakot, India on Wednesday shot down a Pakistani jet which fell across the Line of Control (LoC). The Ministry of External Affairs also said one of its MiG-21 pilots was "missing in action".

Earlier today, Pakistan army claimed it shot down two Indian aircraft and arrested two Indian pilots. One of the pilots identified himself as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, said Pakistan army's spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor.

India shot down an aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force, said the Ministry of External Affairs. Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the MEA, said an Indian pilot is missing after a MiG 21 aircraft got lost during the engagement with PAF fighter jets.

"One Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by Indian Air Force. In this engagement, we have lost one MiG 21. Pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts," Kumar said.

The government has withdrawn a directive that ordered the closure of major airports in northern parts of the country. The NOTAM (Notice to Airmen to alert aircraft pilots of potential hazards along a flight route) has been withdrawn. Flight operations will resume soon, ANI reported.

Amid reports of violation of the Indian airspace by Pakistan, the Congress party has postponed its meeting and a rally scheduled to be held tomorrow. "In wake of the prevailing condition on the border, Congress has postponed the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting and rally scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad tomorrow," the party said.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, spokesperson of the Pakistan army, claimed they have arrested two Indian pilots, the claim which has not been confirmed by the Indian authorities. Ghafoor also released a video of one of the allegedly captured Indian pilots. The pilot has identified himself as Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhaman, Pakistan claimed. Read full report here.

Flight operations at Dehradun airport in Uttarakhand have been temporarily suspended after Pakistan attempted to violate the Indian airspace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval after Pakistan attempted to violate the Indian airspace.

When Pakistan Air Force's F-16 fighter jet attempted to violate the Indian airspace, it was a Sukhoi Su-30 aircraft that chased it away, reports said.

After India thwarted Pakistan Air Force's attempt to violate the Indian airspace and shot down their aircraft, several airports in India and Pakistan have been closed. Several airports including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar and Chandigarh have been shut for civilian operation.

In Pakistan, domestic and international flight operations from Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Islamabad airports have been suspended. International flights that transit between Indian and Pakistani airspace are affected due to the closure of these airports.

Amid escalating tension between India and Pakistan, domestic and international flight operations from Pakistan's Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Sialkot and Islamabad airports have been suspended.

Several airports including Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar and Chandigarh have been closed for civilian operation amid reports of Pakistan's attempt to violate Indian airspace on Wednesday morning.

Amid reports of Pakistan's attempt to violate Indian airspace, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is holding a high-level meeting. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval,  RAW chief Anil Dhasmana and head of Intelligence Bureau Rajiv Jain are present.

Major General Asif Ghafoor, Director General of the Pakistan Army's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), in a tweet claimed, the Pakistan Air Force shot down two Indian aircraft and apprehended an Indian pilot. The Indian government didn't confirm any of these claims made by Pakistan army.

India has reportedly shot down an aircraft of Pakistan Air Force that attempted to violate the Indian airforce. "A parachute was seen as Pakistan Air Force's F-16 was going down. The condition of the pilot is unknown," news agency ANI reported.