Pak making false claim of shooting down SU-30 to cover up its aircraft loss: IAF

The IAF stated that Pakistan was making such a claim to cover up the loss of its own aircraft.

According to the force, in the morning of Feb 27, Indian Air Defence system was on full alert.

"Build up of PAF aircraft on their side of LoC was noticed in time and additional aircraft were scrambled to tackle the adversary. In their attempt to attack our ground targets, PAF aircraft were engaged effectively.  From IAF side, Mirage-2000, Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft were involved in the engagement, " the IAF said in a statement.

"PAF aircraft were forced to withdraw in a hurry, which is also evident from large missed distances of the weapons dropped by them.  During combat, use of F-16 by PAF and multiple launches of AMRAAM were conclusively observed," the statement said. 

The air force resorted to "prompt and correct tactical action" by Su-30 aircraft, in response to AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile.

Parts of the missile fell in the area east of Rajouri in J&K, injuring a civilian on the ground. 

"The detailed report in this regard has already been released by IAF.  All the Su-30 aircraft engaged in combat landed back safely.  False claim by Pakistan of shooting down a Su-30, appears to be a cover up for loss of its own aircraft..," the statement said.

On Feb 14, a JeM terrorist had rammed a car laden with explosives into a bus leading to the death of over 40 CRPF personnel.

India later conducted air strikes inside Pakistan at Balakot on JeM establishments which later led Pakistan Air Force to retaliate last week.