In a significant escalation along the India-Pakistan border, an F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force was shot down by an Indian surface-to-air missile, as confirmed by defence sources. The incident occurred near the Sargodha air base in Punjab, one of Pakistan’s critical military aviation facilities.
The F-16 jet had just taken off from Sargodha, which is known to be heavily fortified and serves as a frontline air station. It was intercepted soon after takeoff by India’s advanced air defence systems, marking a notable event in air combat between the two nuclear-armed nations.
This development marks a pivotal moment as tensions between India and Pakistan have not been this acute since the 1971 war. In response to the heightened threat, a precautionary blackout has been enforced in several border districts of Rajasthan to safeguard against potential retaliatory strikes.
The shootdown coincides with a recent failed offensive by Pakistan involving drones and missile strikes aimed at critical Indian military installations and civilian areas. Indian defence sources reported that their air defence systems were fully activated and effectively intercepted multiple Pakistani UAVs in the preceding days.
Simultaneously, border districts in Jammu, including RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, and Hiranagar, have experienced intense shelling from Pakistani forces. Pathankot, a significant military hub located just 30 kilometers from the International Border, has also come under severe artillery fire.
In light of these escalating tensions, the Indian Armed Forces have remained on high alert across all border regions, prepared to respond to any further aggression from their western neighbor. The current situation draws attention to the fragile state of peace in the region, with both sides bracing for potential further confrontations.
