Fact versus Fake in the Indo-Pak scuffle
The Pakistan Air Force allegedly conducted retaliatory strikes Wednesday, in response to the Indian Air Force’s Tuesday morning attack on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. However, after the PAF’s strikes, there have been several contradictory stories circulated on social media, most of them unconfirmed.
While the short press briefing by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in the presence of Air Vice Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor of the IAF provided some clarity, many details remain foggy.
Claim 1: Pakistan’s Air Force conducted air strikes against India in Jammu and Kashmir. The claim is that the PAF bombed four deserted spots near the Line of Control in Nidan, Laam Jhangar, Kerri (in Rajouri District), and Hamirpur area of Bhimber Galli in Poonch.
Fact: The press briefing by MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed that “Pakistan has responded this morning by using its air force to target military installations on the Indian side”. While the Pakistani retaliation was confirmed, there was no mention of the precise targets on the Indian side.
Claim 2: Pakistan’s military PRO, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, tweeted the following claims:
a) Pakistan’s Air Force shot down two Indian aircraft in Pakistani airspace.
b) One of the aircraft fell inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the other on the Indian side.
c) “One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area”.
Fact: The MEA press briefing confirmed that one MiG-21 Bison had been lost during the retaliatory engagement, while Pakistani PM Imran Khan said two Indian MiGs crossed the LoC and were shot down by Pakistani forces.
The MEA also declared that the pilot flying the downed MiG-21 was ‘missing in action’. “Pakistan has claimed he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts,” the spokesperson said.
But it remains unconfirmed whether Indian Air Force jets crossed the LoC or not.
Claim 3: In response to the Pakistani attack, the Indian Air Force retaliated by shooting down one of its F-16 fighters in Nowshera.
Fact: The MEA spokesperson confirmed that “the Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly. In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21-Bison of the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side”.
Whether the aircraft shot down was an F-16 remains unconfirmed.
Claim 4: The last claim suggests the Pakistani Air Force did cross the LoC and intrude into India’s airspace.
Fact: The MEA statement has confirmed this claim, since it stated: “The Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly.”
Claim 5: Some Indian journalists claimed that all Indian Air Force pilots were safe, but a Pakistani F-16 had been shot down.
Fact: This is untrue. The MEA statement confirms that one IAF pilot is missing in action.
Claim 6: Pakistani security agencies have arrested two Indian Air Force pilots.
Fact: India has confirmed that one pilot is ‘missing in action’. “Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts.”
However, Pakistani PM Imran Khan insisted that “their pilots are with us” — note the use of the plural ‘pilots’.
Claim 7: Pakistani media is using an image of IAF aircraft wreckage. Several other news outlets are using old images and videos depicting aircraft crashes.
Fact: One of these videos is of a Hawk aircraft crashing in Odisha in 2018. Another image used by The Express Tribune newspaper in Pakistan, is three years old. more
While the short press briefing by India’s Ministry of External Affairs in the presence of Air Vice Marshal R.G.K. Kapoor of the IAF provided some clarity, many details remain foggy.
Claim 1: Pakistan’s Air Force conducted air strikes against India in Jammu and Kashmir. The claim is that the PAF bombed four deserted spots near the Line of Control in Nidan, Laam Jhangar, Kerri (in Rajouri District), and Hamirpur area of Bhimber Galli in Poonch.
Fact: The press briefing by MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar confirmed that “Pakistan has responded this morning by using its air force to target military installations on the Indian side”. While the Pakistani retaliation was confirmed, there was no mention of the precise targets on the Indian side.
Claim 2: Pakistan’s military PRO, Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor, tweeted the following claims:
a) Pakistan’s Air Force shot down two Indian aircraft in Pakistani airspace.
b) One of the aircraft fell inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the other on the Indian side.
c) “One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area”.
Fact: The MEA press briefing confirmed that one MiG-21 Bison had been lost during the retaliatory engagement, while Pakistani PM Imran Khan said two Indian MiGs crossed the LoC and were shot down by Pakistani forces.
The MEA also declared that the pilot flying the downed MiG-21 was ‘missing in action’. “Pakistan has claimed he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts,” the spokesperson said.
But it remains unconfirmed whether Indian Air Force jets crossed the LoC or not.
Claim 3: In response to the Pakistani attack, the Indian Air Force retaliated by shooting down one of its F-16 fighters in Nowshera.
Fact: The MEA spokesperson confirmed that “the Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly. In that aerial engagement, one Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by a MiG 21-Bison of the Indian Air Force. The Pakistani aircraft was seen by ground forces falling from the sky on the Pakistan side”.
Whether the aircraft shot down was an F-16 remains unconfirmed.
Claim 4: The last claim suggests the Pakistani Air Force did cross the LoC and intrude into India’s airspace.
Fact: The MEA statement has confirmed this claim, since it stated: “The Pakistan Air Force was detected and the Indian Air Force responded instantly.”
Claim 5: Some Indian journalists claimed that all Indian Air Force pilots were safe, but a Pakistani F-16 had been shot down.
Fact: This is untrue. The MEA statement confirms that one IAF pilot is missing in action.
Claim 6: Pakistani security agencies have arrested two Indian Air Force pilots.
Fact: India has confirmed that one pilot is ‘missing in action’. “Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts.”
However, Pakistani PM Imran Khan insisted that “their pilots are with us” — note the use of the plural ‘pilots’.
Claim 7: Pakistani media is using an image of IAF aircraft wreckage. Several other news outlets are using old images and videos depicting aircraft crashes.
Fact: One of these videos is of a Hawk aircraft crashing in Odisha in 2018. Another image used by The Express Tribune newspaper in Pakistan, is three years old. more
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01,MAR 2019                                              UBAYAM [SUBMISSION] KALAIVANAN MARUTI , TEMPLE TRUSTEEE,VADAKKU MADHAVI VILLEGE, PERAMBALUR DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU STATE, INDIA RESID: 18/26, CHELLIAMMAN NAGAR[ BYE PASS100FT ROAD, FISH O FISH SHOP BACKSIDE] CHENNAI-600 042, TAMILNADU STATE, INDIA TEL: +914422451438                              Email: marutikalaivanan@yahoo.co.in                      Mobile: +919962846373 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                                          PERIYANDAVAR/PERIYANAYAKI DUNAI[GRACE]                                                  ADAM/AWAL GRACE 01,MAR .2019 RESPECTED SIR/MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING FOR YOU KIND NOTICE AND CONSIDERATION: THERE IS A TEMPLE IN THE OPEN PLACE, IN VADAKKU MADHAVI VILLAGE IN THE NAME OF PERIYANDAVAR/PERIYANAYAKI. THERE IS NO ROOF FOR THE TEMPLE . THE PEOPLE OF VADAKKU MADHAVI VILLAGE ARE POOR THEREFORE THEY , IN THE MEETING HELD ON 13.02.2019 IN THE PREMISES OF TH TEMPLE SELECTED MY NAME UNANIMOUSLY AS TEMPLE TRUSTEE. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS TRUSTEE IS TO COLLECT DONATION/CONTRIBUTION FROM THE PEOPLE LIVING IN FOREIGN FOR CONSTRUCTING THE TEMPLE. I AM INSTRUMENT OF POWERFUL GOD/GODDESS PERIYANDAVAR/PERIYANAK I AM THE INSTRUMENT OF PERIYANDAVAR/PERIYANAKI.  THIS IS WHY I AM HUMBLY REQUESTING YOU TO CONSIDER TO PAY POSSIBLE DONATION/CONTRIBUTION. IF YOU REALLY HAVE FAITH ON GOD/GODDESS . PLEASE CONSIDER TO SEND SOMETHING ABLE DONATION/CONTRIBUTION FOR CONSTRUCTING THE TEMPLE. THE DONATION/CONTRIBUTION MAY BE SENT EITHER BY CASH TO MY HOUSE ADDRESS GIVEN BELOW OR BY BANK TRANSFER. THE DONATION/CONTRIBUTION MAY BE SENT BY CASH THROUGH WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER. THE ADDRESS OF THE WUMT IS        WESTERN UNION MONEY TRANSFER,,       RKK FOREX AND SERVICE       #43, SARATHY NAGAR,      [OPP:] VIJAYA N AGAR BUS TERMINUS],      VIJAYA NAGAR,        VELACHEY,      CHENNAI-600 042,      TAMIL NADU STATE,      INDIA      CONTACT NO: +9198 408743 47/ +919500 07 4735      EMAIL: rkkservice@yahoo.co.in MY HOUSE ADDRESS:     KALAIVANAN MARUTI,     18/26, CHELLIAMMAN NAGAR,     [BYE PASS 100FT ROAD, FISH O FISH SHOP BACK SIDE],    VELACHERY     CHENNAI-600 042,     TAMIL NADU STATE,     INDIA.                  OR THE DONAIO/DNTRIBUTION MAY ALSO B SENT BY BANK TRANSFER. MY BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS ARE AS FOLLOWS:       ACCOUNT NAME: KALAIVANAN MARUTI,    ACCOUNT NO: 129601 00000 1174    SWIFT CODE: IOBIN BB876    IFSC / ROUTING NO: IOBA 000 1296    BANK NAME & ADDRESS:  INDIAN OVER SEAS BANK,                            VELACHERY BRANCH,                            127 PSK BHOOSHANAM KALYANA MAHAL,                             BYE PASS 100 FT ROAD, VELACHERY,                             CHENNAI-600 042,                              TAMIL NADU STATE,                             INDIA.  BANK CONTACT NO: +914422451113  EMAIL: Iob1296@iob.in IT IS FAR FAR THOUSAND TIMES PUNNIYAM [MERITORIOUS] IF PAY DONATION/CONTRIBUTION FOR CONSTUCTING TEMPLE WORK INSTEAD OF PROVIDING FREE MEALS TO THE POOR PEOPLE.GET GENEROUS MIND ND PAY DONATION PLEASE.  I FIRMLY ASSURE YOU SIR/MADAM THAT THE DONATION/CONTRIBUTION SO COLLECTED WILL BE UTILIZED ONLY FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH IS COLLECTED. NO SINGLE PENNEY WILL BE USED FOR ANY OTHER PERSONAL PURPOSE. BELIEVE ME SIR/ MADAM AND SEND YOUR ABLE DONATION/CONTRIBUTION FOR CONSTRUCTING THE TEMPLE..   YOUR NAME WILL BE DISPLACED IN THE DONAR LIST WHICH IS TO BE FIXED IN FRONT OF THE WALL OF THE TEMPLE. IF YOU PAY CONSIDERABLE DONATION/CONTRIBUTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING THE TEMPLE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS POWERFUL GOD/GOD/GODDESS PERIYANDAVAR/PERIYANAKI WILL SOLVE ANY PROBLEMS IF YOU START ANY ROUTINE WORK MURMURING IN MIND THE NAME OF THE PERIAYANDAVAR/PERIYANAYGAKI. PLEASE CONVEY, ENCOURAGE/,MOTIVATE YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS RELATIVES AND FRIENDS TO PAY A POSSIBLE DONAION/CONTRIBUION FOR CONSTRUCTING THE TEMPLE. THE PICTURE OF THE GOD/GODDESS WILL BE SENT YOU LATER. NECESSARY INVITATION WILL BE ISSUED TO YOU TO ENABLE YOU TO ATTEND TO THE FINAL DAY OPENING FUNCTION.YOUR COOPERATION FOR CONSTRUCTING THE TEMPLE IS HIGHLY SOLICITED. MAY PERIYANDAVA/PERIYANAKI[ GOD/GODDESS] BLESS YOU TO LIVE WITH ALL ENDOWMENTS. AWAITING FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTION/DONATION FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING THE TEMPLE AT THE EVERY MOMENT . THANKING YOU, REGARDS,KALAIVANAN MARUTI,+919962846373++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++  On Wednesday, 27 February, 2019, 6:32:55 PM IST, Anushka Singh wrote: more
Mar 01
*Read The Prime Minister and His Robot Wife** by Jitendra Kumar Sharma on Amazon, a trenchant satire on western style democracy as it prevails in Bharat, that is NOT INDIA. There is a chapter on Universal Basic Income, a dialogue between the PMâs Wife and Bureaucrats.* On Wed, Feb 27, 2019 at 6:20 PM Anushka Singh wrote: > more
Mar 01
Anushka Singh why is it important to you to know the facts. its a pre war time situation and govt has to made facts public according to the situation warrants, it is not important to satisfy your curiosity about the facts but important is national security and moral of our public and armed forces. what do you want to know the actual facts? do you want to help the enemy? more
Feb 28
At this time of crisis let the Armed forces do their job and let us do our jobs normally and unhindered. We should not take too much interest and curiosity in the day to day happenings. These need not be published in a transparent manner on day to day basis, in the interest of national security. After all, we don't know who are the enemy's agents and in what manner they will use this information. Facts will come out later when the matters are settled any way. more
Feb 28
I think we should not go into the details too much because there will be claims and counter claims in times like this. We should concentrate on what we set out to do. more
Feb 28
