The question of whether India hit a Pakistani F-16 during an aerial engagement is a complex one. There is no definitive proof that India destroyed a Pakistani F-16. However, India claims to have shot down a Pakistani aircraft, while Pakistan maintains that none of its aircraft were lost.
India's Claims:
- India asserts that it shot down a Pakistani F-16 during an aerial engagement on February 27, 2019.
- India claims to have used an MIG-21 Bison fighter jet to shoot down the F-16.
- India presented evidence of a missile launch and a debris field as proof of the F-16's destruction.
- India also alleges that the F-16 pilot ejected and was captured by Pakistani forces.
Pakistan's Claims:
- Pakistan denies that any of its F-16s were lost during the aerial engagement.
- Pakistan claims that it used American-made AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles to engage Indian aircraft.
- Pakistan asserts that no Pakistani pilot was captured and that the pilot who ejected was from an F-16 that was damaged by an Indian missile.
- Pakistan also claims that it used electronic countermeasures to disable Indian missiles.
Independent Verification:
- The United States, the manufacturer of the F-16, has not officially confirmed or denied the loss of a Pakistani F-16.
- Independent experts have analyzed the available evidence and concluded that it is difficult to determine conclusively whether a Pakistani F-16 was destroyed.
Conclusion:
The question of whether India hit a Pakistani F-16 remains a subject of debate. While India claims to have shot down an F-16, Pakistan denies this claim. The lack of conclusive evidence from independent sources makes it impossible to definitively confirm or refute either side's claims.
