In a dramatic video, a Pakistani TV channel has shown a person, who is blindfolded and in the custody of the Pakistani troops, as Wing Commander Abhinandan. With a bloodied face and his hands tied behind his back, the person is heard as saying, “I am Wing Commander Abhinandan. My service no 27981. I am a flying pilot.”
He goes on to ask, “May I request a little information? Am I with the Pakistani army.” He then goes to on ask, “Am I speaking to an officer?” People present in the room reply in the affirmative.
The Indian government has not made any official comments on this extraordinary development. The same video has been broadcast on almost all Pakistani TV channels. The video was also posted by the official Twitter handle of the government of Pakistan.
Wing Commander Indian Air Force Abhinandan in the custody of Pakistani security forces. He was flying one of the aircraft which were shot down by PAF in Pakistani airspace this morning. #PakistanArmyZindabad #PakistanAirForceOurPride #PakistanZindabad ?? pic.twitter.com/DhWn46UWYv
— Govt of Pakistan (@pid_gov) February 27, 2019
This came moments after Pakistani military spokesperson’s Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed that his country had shot down two Indian aircrafts and captured two pilots. According to local media, one pilot is receiving treatment at a military hospital for his injuries.
Maj Gen Ghafoor also spoke to media on Wednesday and said that the Pakistani Air Force had ‘engaged six targets across LoC from within Pakistani airspace.’ He said that the captured Indian pilots will be treated humanely and no human rights will be violated.
He said, “Pakistan’s armed forces have capability, will, resolve and nation’s support. But because we are a responsible state and want peace, we decided first of all that we won’t take any military targets.”
Earlier, news agency PTI had reported that Pakistani fighter jets on Wednesday violated the Indian air space in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district and reportedly dropped bombs on their way out. Quoting an official, news agency PTI said that they were pushed back by Indian aircraft.