In a strongly worded demarche issued to Pakistan, India demands the pilot’s immediate safe return of the pilot. The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned earlier today to lodge a protest against the unprovoked aggression from Pakistan’s side following Indian Air Force’s air strikes on Pakistani terror camps yesterday.
Full text of the demarche is as follows:
The Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned this afternoon by MEA to lodge a strong protest at the unprovoked act of aggression by Pakistan against India earlier today, including by violation of the Indian air space by Pakistan Air Force and targeting of Indian military posts.
It was 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.
India also 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.
Earlier today, Pakistan violated Indian air space wherein Pakistan’s F16 was brought down along with India’s MiG21. The pilot of Indian Air Force was captured by Pakistan since he had crossed the border while chasing the F16 of Pakistan Air Force. Following this, videos of the Air Force pilot being beaten up by his captors as well as video of his being questioned by presumably Pakistani Army personnel had gone viral on social media, in violation of the Geneva Convention.
