On Thursday, Pakistan made several attempts to target various locations across India, but Indian air defense systems successfully intercepted and shot down the several intruding drones and three fighter jets among which 2 were JF 17s and one was F-16. In response to these threats, precautionary blackouts were implemented in certain areas.
The Pakistani pilot is currently in India’s custody who was captured from Rajasthans, Lathi Village.
The three jets were shot down in Rajasthan, Punjab states and Akdhnoor district of India.
The ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan escalated when India downed two of Pakistan’s fighter jets: an F-16 and a JF-17. These actions followed Pakistan’s attempts to launch attacks on multiple sites within Indian territory. Reports indicate that an Indian Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) successfully brought down an F-16 fighter jet near the Sargodha air base.
The F-16, a key asset in Pakistan’s air force, was acquired from the United States and has been in service since the late 1980s. The JF-17, another significant aircraft in Pakistan’s arsenal, also played a role in these confrontations. Notably, the F-16s were previously deployed by the Pakistan Air Force during the heightened tensions following India’s Balakot airstrikes in 2019.
In a related incident, Pakistan attempted a missile strike in the Jaisalmer region of Rajasthan late Thursday, which triggered a rapid response from India’s air defense systems.
India’s air defense mechanisms have been fully mobilized to detect and neutralize any incoming threats. To date, over 70 missiles have been intercepted mid-air, effectively safeguarding ground targets from potential damage. As the situation continues to develop, both nations remain on high alert, underscoring the fragile state of peace in the region.