As per media various media reports, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) tried to avenge the Balakot airstrikes, a day after IAF conducted aerial attacks on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps on February 26, but failed miserably. PAF tried to carry out airstrikes on India’s military targets but failed to hit them.
Speaking to ANI, a government source said, “On February 27, the Pakistani Air Force with its package of more than 20 planes led by the American F-16s along with the French Mirage-IIIs and Chinese JF-17, fired 11 H-4 1,000 kg bombs from ranges of around 50 kms inside their territory at military targets at three locations but failed to hit any of them.”
PAF used the H-4 bombs, fired by the Mirage-IIIs, at the Indian Army targets in Jammu and Kashmir. Not to forget that H-4 bombs, similar to the Spice-2000 bombs which were used by the IAF in the Balakot strikes, are classified as stand-off weapons which can be launched from a distance to aid quicker evasive maneuvers of jets that fire them.
“The H-4s are not very accurate and missed their targets. In one of the attacks on an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir, the building was protected by a tall and thick tree which suffered extensive damage but deflected the Pakistani bomb,” the sources added.
Interestingly, the officer was present at the army camps when the attacks took place. The three locations that were targeted by PAF are in Poonch and adjoining sectors. Afterwards, boards of officials were constituted to analyze the remains of the Pakistani bombs and other debris from the explosion.
The government source further speculated that Mirage-IIIs missed their target because of the quick response of IAF. He went on to add that the Pakistani fighter planes had taken off from different bases on February 27 and started gathering over PoK and their northern areas before they turned around to launch attacks on Indian military targets.
It is clear that the Pakistan military forces had decided to raid the Indian brigade headquarters. This was the act of war that was thwarted by MiG-21 Bison. The Pakistani military had entered into the Indian airspace to attack the Brigade headquarters. Time and again, the Pakistani government has been indulging in fake claims that they do not want war and will never initiate war from their side. Moreover, DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor stated that Pakistan violating Indian airspace was just an act of “self-defence.” They claimed to have only targeted those spots where “we were sure we won’t harm any civilians.” In light of the intelligence report regarding their real target, that was the Brigade headquarters, it is visible that Pakistan is clearly spoiling for a war.
It was during this aggression that Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman shot down an F-16 plane using his R-73 air-to-air missile fired from his MiG-21. In the course of action, his jet was shot down and he was arrested by the Pakistani Army when he landed on the other side of the Line of Control. Afterwards, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar stated, “Pakistan has targeted military installations on Indian side. During that we have lost one fighter jet. One pilot has been missing. Pakistan has claimed they have arrested him.”
It is clear that PAF had tried to avenge Balakot airstrikes and failed miserably, even lost its one of fourth-generation fighter jet F-16.