The spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs- Raveesh Kumar- has confirmed that one MiG-21 pilot of the Indian Air Force was ‘Missing In Action’ where one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by IAF. He said, “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.”
Earlier, Pakistan claimed that they have one Indian pilot in their custody. They also released a short video clip claiming that the person in the video is an Indian Air Force pilot.
As soon as the video surfaced, ‘Aman Ki Asha’ gang and peacemongers on Indian side flooded the social media with anti-war messages and started shedding crocodile tears for the Indian pilot in Pakistan’s custody. They are praying for their safe return and so as all other sections of the society, but except peace mongers, everyone else wants to teach an unforgettable lesson to Pakistan. On the other hand, peace mongers are using IAF pilot to save Pakistan.
If an Indian pilot is in Pakistan’s custody then he has specific rights under Geneva Conventions. Now, that Pakistan has declared Indian pilot as Prisoner of War (PoW) then he has to be treated like one according to the guidelines of Geneva Convention. Now, whole world knows about him, and hence he is safe. Pakistan is bound to return him safely to India. During Kargil War too, Pakistan had captured one Indian pilot. He was released after 8 days.
During Kargil too, Pakistan had captured one Indian pilot. Was released after 8 days.
— Rahul Roushan (@rahulroushan) February 27, 2019
Public display of videos and photographs and harassment of PoW is a violation of the Geneva Convention. There are videos on social media where Pakistani civilians in the presence of Pak armed forces are harassing the IAF pilot captured by Pakistan. It’s against the Geneva Convention, and international humanitarian law. Art 13 of Geneva Convention explicitly makes it clear that Prisoners of war must at all times be humanely treated. While Art 14 clearly states that Prisoners of war are entitled in all circumstances to respect for their persons and their honour.
Good that Pakistanis have claimed a POW, he has to be treated as per the guidelines of Geneva Convention. Don't make it as win or loss situation for our glory. He is known to the International world and hence he is safe. Plus don't beg to anyone about his safe return. (1/2)
— Vishal Kumar (@AsOurLawIs) February 27, 2019
He is not a terrorist. Pakis have the only ground of defying their territory in our post- Pulwama retaliation. Anyway, they are bound to return him safe and sound to India followed by some negotiations. (2/2)#TerroristanPakistan
— Vishal Kumar (@AsOurLawIs) February 27, 2019
The MEA has already announced that the missing airman is a prisoner of war and must be treated as such.