Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be considered as weakness: Air Chief

While addressing a special ceremony organized at the Air Headquarters (AHQ) Islamabad in connection with second anniversary of Operation Swift Retort, Air Chief said that any misadventure will be responded immediately.

 “27 February, 2019 holds a special place not just for Air Force but the whole country. On this historic day, the Pakistan Air Force once again demonstrated its great capability and gave a befitting response to those who challenged our sovereignty,” he said.

While saluting the pilots of PAF for their professionalism and bravely, he said that Pakistan’s armed forces brilliantly defended the motherland under the operation.

“Pakistan is a peaceful country and the world witnessed how Pakistan returned the Indian captured Indian pilot as a peace gesture. However, I would like to make it clear here that our peace efforts should not be seen as a sign of weakness. In case of any misadventure, our response will be immediate and solid,” he added.

On February 27, 2019, the Pakistan Air Force (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 neighbor.

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’.