Mayawati calls Narendra Modi's video conference 'ridiculous'

Mayawati said Modi was trying to serve 'political interests' at a time when he should concentrate on matters of national security.

"Indian forces foiled Pakistani attack yesterday it is a matter of big relief but an IAF pilot is under Pak custody is a matter of great concern. India should try to do its best at all levels to ensure safe return of the pilot only then the country will feel relief," Mayawati said in a tweet at a time when relationship between India and Pakistan has deteriorated since the Feb 14 Pulwama attack and the capturing of a Indian Air Force pilot by the neighbouring nation.

"At a time when India is facing hostility of war and country needs firm leadership, PM Nrendra Modi instead of concentrating on the matters of national security trying to serve political interest by addressing his BJP workers is ridiculous besides betrayal of national sentiments," she said.

Tension between India and Pakistan:

A day after the Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted a surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a response to the Pulwama attack, Pakistan claimed that it has shot down two aircrafts of the IAF and captured a pilot.

The neighbouring nation also released a video and claimed that it is of an Indian  pilot named Abhinandan.

In response to the claims, the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said: "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. In this engagement, we have unfortunately lost one MiG 21. The pilot is missing in action. Pakistan has claimed that he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts," he said.

In the Pulwama attack, which took place on Feb 14, over 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were martyred.

In the surgical strike, India claimed a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and groups of jihadis who were being trained for fidayeen action were eliminated.