In a strong message to Pakistan, India on Wednesday summoned the acting high commissioner of the neighbouring country and demanded the immediate return of an Indian Air Force pilot who was detained during a border skirmish earlier in the day.
The External Affairs Ministry also conveyed strong objection to Pakistan over the "vulgar display of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention”.
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IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was arrested by Pakistan Air Force during an aerial engagement along the Line of Control. The IAF shot down a Pakistan F-16 jet while it also lost a MiG jet during the skirmish.
“India strongly objected to Pakistan’s vulgar display of an injured personnel of the Indian Air Force in violation of all norms of International Humanitarian Law and the Geneva Convention. It was made clear that Pakistan would be well advised to ensure that no harm comes to the Indian defence personnel in its custody. India also expects his immediate and safe return,” said a release issued by the foreign ministry.
India also lodged a strong protest at the “unprovoked act of aggression” by Pakistan against India, including by violation of the Indian air space by Pakistan Air Force and targeting of Indian military posts.
“This is in contrast to the India’s non-military anti-terror pre-emptive strike at a JeM terrorist camp in Balakot on 26 February 2019. It is unfortunate that instead of fulfilling its international obligation and bilateral commitment to take credible action against terrorist entities and individuals operating from its soil, Pakistan has acted with aggression against India,” the foreign ministry statement said.
“It was clearly conveyed that India reserves the right to take firm and decisive action to protect its national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity against any act of aggression or cross-border terrorism,” it further said.
The tension along the border between the nuclear-armed neighbours escalated a day after a dozen IAF Mirage 2000 fighter jets crossed the border and demolished a major terror training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad at Balakot, killing over 300 militants.
India's unprecedented counter-terror operation was in response to the suicide attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14, in which at least 40 CRPF jawans lost their lives. The JeM had claimed responsibility of the attack.