Indian military chiefs’ presser becomes magnum opus of skepticism
NEW DELHI: The top Indian military chiefs on Thursday held a press conference which came out to be a magnum opus of confusion and skepticism.
“Pakistan is reiterating its offer of peace. What is your response on it,” a reporter asked but did not receive any response from the military chiefs.
Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, assistant chief of Air Staff said it was up to the political leadership to decide when and how to release evidence of the Balakot strike’s success.
He was responding to a question that there was some skepticism about whether IAF fighters had hit the intended targets.
Kapoor said there is credible information and evidence that “we hit the intended targets” and it was premature to assess the casualties and damage.
Top generals from the Indian air force, army and navy also renewed claims that India had shot down a Pakistani F-16 jet.
The top military officials also unveiled alleged fragments from a missile they claimed matched the Pakistani F-16 fighter jet that purportedly crossed into Indian airspace and was shot down.
Pakistan has denied New Delhi’s assertions that one of its fighters was downed during a dogfight that also saw an Indian plane lost.
The pilot of that jet, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, managed to eject but was apprehended by Pakistani troops on the other side of the border and taken into custody.
Pakistan said Thursday it would release him as a “peace gesture”, taking a step towards rapprochement as clashes between the nuclear-armed rivals ignited fears of a disastrous conflict.
But RGK Kapoor said Pakistan’s decision to free the pilot, though welcome, simply followed international norms around prisoners of war.
“We are extremely happy to have him back. We want to see him back,” he told reporters. “We only see it as a gesture which is in consonance with all Geneva conventions.” AFP
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