US ‘closely’ following reports of Pakistan using F-16 against India
Days after India gave proof on the use of F-16 fighters and AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missile by Pakistan, US says it is “very closely” following the reports that Pakistan misused American-made F-16 fighter jets against India. US State Department has also said that America is seeking more information from Pakistan on the potential misuse of F-16 fighter jets.
The US is “very closely” following the reports that Pakistan misused American-made F-16 fighter jets against India in the recent aerial confrontation between their air forces. While addressing a press conference, US Department of State said that they are following that issue very closely.
Indian Air Force on Thursday displayed parts of an AMRAM beyond visual range air-to-air missile as evidence to “conclusively” prove that Pakistan deployed US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets during an aerial raid targeting Indian military installations in Kashmir after India’s anti-terror operation in Balakot. The US State Department has said that America is seeking more information from Pakistan on the potential misuse of American-made F-16 fighter jets by it against India in violation of the end-user agreement.
Meanwhile, US has revised visa rules for Pakistan & has slashed validity for citizens from 5 years to 1 year.
Reports say Pakistan has formally placed Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamaat-ud-Dawa and its wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation in the list of banned organisations. Reports also say that Islamabad has detained Abdul Rauf Asghar, the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar. 44 persons affiliated with multiple banned terrorist organisations have been arrested but it is believed that Pakistan is acting only under pressure.
Govt has slammed the opposition for its stand on the IAF action.
Pakistan has been isolated on a global platform following Pulwama attack; a suicide bomber of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed killed 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel in Kashmir’s Pulwama district on February 14.
