Pakistan marks the second anniversary of Operation Swift Retort against India

Pakistan struck six targets in Indian Occupied Kashmir and then downed two Indian jets

Today marks the second anniversary of Operation Swift Retort when Pakistan Air Force successfully targeting pinpointed targets in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and downing two Indian jets in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

This was a response to India’s Line of Control (LOC) violation where they dropped bombs in a jungle in Balakot and destroyed a few trees. India claimed it had hit terrorist training camps though it was proven false as international observers were shown the area that only had damaged trees and no other debris of any kind.

The quick and effective response left the Indian military in disbelief and put cold water on India’s war designs. India claimed that it also downed a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet, a claim that is denied both by Pakistan and the Americans and has been proven wrong by India’s own experts.

The strikes on Feb 27

After the Balakot jungle bombing, PAF struck back the next day when PAF entered the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and struck six different targets. The targets were close to important military installments, though none of the installations were actually hit. The purpose of hitting these targets was to send a message that the Indian installation can be hit at any time. Indian jets chased Pakistani planes but were hit once they entered Pakistan’s airspace. Wing Commander Abhi Nandan was caught after his Mig21 crashed in Pakistan. He was treated with respect and as per the international conventions for prisoners of war. His clip praising the Pakistani tea has since been immortalized. Abhi Nandan was released after a few days in Pakistan’s custody as a gesture of goodwill.

Air Chief vows maintaining sovereignty

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force said that “We want to live in peace but if our sovereignty is challenged, our response would always be Swift and Resolute as it was on 27 February, 2019.”

“Pakistan is confronted with varied challenges including a Hybrid War, which demands our enhanced commitment and vigilance. PAF endeavors to augment its capability in all spectrums of operations while pursuing modernization through indigenous efforts,” Khan added.

The aftermath

The attack in Balakot was a political drama on BJP’s part before the elections. It clearly failed to achieve its intended objectives of longer skirmish and better political ratings. However, the Indian media kept on repeating false claims on the part of the Indian government which was able to win the elections that took place in a couple of months’ time. However, its designs to undermine Pakistan and create its regional hegemony were shot down with the Mig fighter.