The exercises of Pakistan’s F-16 jets have created powerful storm in India in the wake of high-voltage tensions between the two nuclear-armed countries after Uri attack in Kashmir that killed 18 soldiers.
The Pakistan Air Force which has state of the art F-16, and JF-17 along with F-7 and Mirage in its fleet demonstrated the landing on the motorway as part of largest and most comprehensive exercise and is held about every five years.
The news of F-16 fighter jets flying over Islamabad confused India and it was like a storm in the India especially after senior journalist Hamid Mir tweeted about the flight of F-16s in Islamabad.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif tweeted images of air force jets taking off from motorways.
“The defenders or our skies, in a state of constant readiness, Alhamdolillah. Our motorways are our runways,” the minister said.
The defenders of our skies, in a state of constant readiness, Alhamdolillah. Our motorways are our runways. #PAF pic.twitter.com/dAuEcVDOWL
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) September 22, 2016
F-16 planes flying at 10:20 pm over Islamabad
— Hamid Mir (@HamidMirGEO) September 22, 2016
According to PAF spokesperson, these exercises are conducted annually within the country and abroad. Tensions run high between Islamabad and New Delhi following an alleged militant attack in Occupied Kashmir that killed over a dozen Indian soldiers last week.
India has long accused Pakistan of fueling violence in Kashmir where Indian forces have killed tens of thousands of innocent people over the last few decades.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday called on United Nations to play its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute.
Meanwhile, French Defence Minister Jean Yves Le Drian landed in India on Thursday night and signed the 7.8 billion deal for 36 Rafale jets equipped with latest missiles and weapon system.
India considers Rafale jets will give IAF a cutting edge over arch rival Pakistan.
