Indian pilot flying MiG-21 fighter yet to return: MEA

An Indian Air force Wing Commander piloting a MiG-21 fighter jet has not returned, a senior official said on Wednesday amid claim by Pakistan that it had arrested two Indian pilots after shooting down two Indian aircraft in its air space.

Raveesh Kumar, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan took off in MiG-21 Bison jet on Wednesday and is yet to return back.

"One Pakistan Air Force fighter aircraft was shot down by Indian Air Force. In this engagement, we have lost one MiG 21. A pilot is missing in action. Pakistan claims he is in their custody. We are ascertaining the facts," he said at a press conference.

Earlier in the day today, spokesperson Pakistan Armed Forces, Major General Asif Ghafoor had claimed, "The two aircraft were shot down by us. The first plane fell in our boundary and the second on India's side. Two pilots have been arrested- out of which one of them was injured and has been sent to CMH. He will be given proper care. The other one is in our custody."

Further confirmation is awaited.

A day after the Indian air strike on a terror camp in Pakistan, Jammu, and Kashmir saw heightened military activity on Wednesday, with Pakistani jets violating the Indian air space