Pakistan completes one year of PAF's retaliatory action against India

Islamabad: A special ceremony will be held at the Prime Minister's House today, to pay a tribute to the retaliatory attack by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after India’s botched Balakot airstrike, GNN reported.

According to details, an official level ceremony will be held today in Islamabad to commemorate Pakistan Air Force’s ‘Operation Swift Retort’ against the Indian Air Force when one of fighter jet of rivals was shot down in a dog fight after it violated Pakistan airspace in Azad Kashmir on the same day, last year. The Pakistan forces also captured Indian pilot Abhinandan.

There will be a function on the theme of "Pakistan's responsible response to Indian aggression". Chief of the three armed forces, including Prime Minister Imran Khan and federal ministers, will also be present at the event. Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the function.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Kashmir Committee Chairman Fakhar Imam will also address the event.

The ceremony will highlight the responsible role of Pakistan after the Indian invasion on February 26, 2019 and a special documentary will also be presented over Pak Army's befitting retalition to Indian aggression.

On Tuesday, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) conducted a full dress rehearsal, including impressive air drill of fighter jets at Karachi sea view ahead of Surprise Day on February 27.

PAF’s modern fleet, including JF-17 Thunder, F-16 and helicopter, participated in the flypast, showing spell-biding aerobatic display.

Sher Dil squadron showed brilliant professional stunt during the drill while Pakistan flag colours were displayed during the show.

In order to celebrate the Surprise Day, the PAF will hold an air show at the sea view on Feb 27.

It is pertinent to remember that on Feb 27, 2019, the PAF carried out Operation Swift Retort and shot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft and dropped bombs within the compounds of Indian military facilities in occupied Kashmir – as a warning to the country’s belligerent neighbour.

The Pakistani military had lived up to its promise to ‘surprise’ India in wake of any misadventure, saying that ‘uncalled-for aggression’ from the Indian military ‘would not go unpunished’.

The operation also resulted in the capture of an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, after his Mig-21 was shot down. The pilot was later handed over to Indian authorities as ‘a goodwill gesture’.