Srinagar, Feb 27 : Two more bodies were recovered near the crash site of an Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jet at Garend Kalan in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday, police officials told, taking the death toll to five.
A civilian Kifayat Ahmad Ganaie (30) son of Mohammad Ramzan Ganie and two IAF pilots were earlier killed due to the crash. Further details are awaited.
(GNS)
Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday claimed that it shot down two Indian military aircraft over Pakistani air space and arrested two pilots.
However, there was no official confirmation from the Indian government.
In a 46-second video released by the Pakistan Army, a blindfolded man claimed that he’s IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan.
“I am an IAF officer. My service No is 27981,” the man said in the video.
However, the veracity of the video could not be ascertained.
Pakistani military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor claimed that two IAF pilots were arrested.
One pilot is injured and has been shifted to a hospital, while another one is unhurt, the spokesman added.
He said one of the aircraft crashed in Pakistan occupied Kashmir while the other fell in Jammu and Kashmir.
(Pakistan TV Report)
Poonch, Feb 27 : An army soldier who was injured critically in a road mishap today near Tota Gali in Poonch district succumbed to injuries in a military hospital.
Reports reaching said that the vehicle, which was on the way towards Jammu from Poonch, on reaching near Totawali Gali, turned turtle resulting in injuries to six soldiers.
All the injured were taken to army’s Brigade hospital for treatment, where injured soldier Lias Naik Nissar Ahmed of Doda succumbed.
SDPO Mendhar Neeraj Padyer also confirmed the death of the soldier.
He said that a case under relevant sections of law has been registered and further investigations taken up. (GNS)
Srinagar, Feb 27 : A 30-year old civilian was killed when a Fighter Jet of Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed at Garend Kalan in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday morning, locals and police officials told.
Local residents of Garend Kalan told news agency that Kifayat Ahmad Ganaie (30) son of Mohammad Ramzan Ganie was busy on a phone call along with his three friends, some 15 to 20 meters away, from the site of the crash.
Soon after the fighter jet crashed, at least three blasts took place and a part of the crashed jet hit the civilian resulting in his on spot death. Three others had a miracleous escape, Showkat Hussain a local resident told.
He said that soon after the incident the local residents rushed to the spot and found Kifayat dead with severe burn injuries besides the bodies of two pilots.
A senior police official said that IAF’s Fighter Jet MI 17 crashed at around 10:40 am, some 7 kilometers away from Budgam town.
The officer said that two pilots and one civilian were killed in the crash. (GNS)
Press Trust of India
Srinagar/New Delhi : Srinagar, Jammu and Leh airports were among five airports closed on Wednesday for civilian air traffic shortly after an IAF jet crashed in Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said.
The move to close the five airports comes amid escalation of tension between India and Pakistan after IAF carried out strikes on in Pakistan.
Airports at Chandigarh and Amritsar were among those closed, according to airline officials.
In Srinagar, an official of the Airports Authority of India told PTI, “The civilian air traffic has been suspended temporarily in view of the emergency”.
While the official did not specify the nature of the emergency, it is believed the step was taken in view of an IAF jet crashing in Budgam district this morning.
Officials said they received instructions from air traffic controllers that the airports have been shut for civilian flights.
Some of the flights en route to Jammu, Leh and Srinagar airports have been diverted to their origin stations, they added.
The flare up in the cross-LoC on Wednesday, has also resulted in security forces and other establishments being put on a heightened alert
The Islamic university of science and technology (IUST) Awantipora has postponed all the semester examination, till further orders.
An official at varsity said the decision has been taken in view of the prevailing situation in Kashmir.
“It is notified for information of all the concerned that all the semester examination have been postponed till further orders. The exams will be conducted as per new date sheet to be announced separately,” reads a varsity notification issued by controller examination IUST.
MS Nazki
Poonch, Feb 27 : Six armymen were injured after a vehicle in which they were traveling in skidded off the road near Tota Wali Gali in Gursai area of Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports reaching news agency said that the vehicle was on the way towards Jammu from Poonch, on reaching near Totawali Gali, the vehicle turns turtle resulting in injuries to six soldiers.
Incharge SHO of Police Post concerned also confirmed the injuries to six soldiers.
He said all the injured were shifted to military hospital where condition of one soldier is said to be critical. (GNS)
Pakistan Army claimed to have shot down two Indian aircrafts after entering Pakistan airspace.
In a tweet Major General Asif Gafoor wrote “In response to PAF strikes this morning as released by MoFA, IAF crossed LOC. PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K while other fell inside IOK. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area”.
In a statement to media Pakistan said that today, Pakistan Air Force undertook strikes across Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace. This was not a retaliation to continued Indian belligerence. Pakistan has therefore, taken strikes at non military target, avoiding human loss and collateral damage. Sole purpose being to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We have no intention of escalation, but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm. That is why we undertook the action with clear warning and in broad daylight. For the last few years, India has been trying to establish what they call “a new normal” a thinly veiled term for doing acts of aggression at whatever pretext they wish on a given day. If India is striking at so called terrorist backers without a shred of evidence, we also retain reciprocal rights to retaliate against elements that enjoy Indian patronage while carrying out acts of terror in Pakistan. We do not wish to go to that route and wish that India gives peace a chance and to resolve issues like a mature democratic nation.
Islamabad
27 February 2019
In Rajouri, Pakistan fired 120 mm mortars targeting civilian hamlets and forward posts, apart from small and automatic weapons in Krishna Gate, Balakote, Karmara, Mankote, Tarkundi areas of Poonch, Kalal, Baba Khori, Kalsian, Laam and Jhangar.
Security near airports in Leh, Jammu, Srinagar and Pathankot has been heightened.
A day after India struck terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan Wednesday violated Indian air space in Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district and in Poonch, but were pushed back by Indian aircraft, news agency PTI reported. There has been no official confirmation as yet. The jets entered into Indian air space over Nowshera sector this morning,” an official told PTI. They were immediately pushed back by Indian jets on air patrol.
Security near airports in Leh, Jammu, Srinagar and Pathankot has been heightened. Srinagar airport activity has also been suspended. Civilian air traffic to and fro Srinagar airport is also suspended.
Since Tuesday evening, Pakistani troops had also resorted to firing mortar shells targeting civilian hamlets and forward posts. All government and private schools located within 5 kilometres of the Line of Control (LoC) in the district are closed today. The exams scheduled for today also stand cancelled, District Magistrate, Rajouri told news agency ANI.