#OnThisDay 3 years ago Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes targeting Indian garrisons in Kashmir, code named #OperationSwiftRetort
2× Mirage VPAs from No 15 squadron #Cobras launched H-4 SOWs targeting depots in Naushera and Rajauri. Bombs were guided by 2× Mirage IIIDAs
In same instant two JF-17C Block 2 Thunders from No 16 MR Squadron #BlackPanthers launched 4× GPS guided Mk-83 REK bombs. All bombs landed in open grounds in Garrisons as PAF had delibrately steered them away. India claimed that bombs went off targets.
PAF Strike package was being escorted by sizeable number of fighters incl F-16s from No 9 Squadron #Griffins and No 29 Squadron #Aggressors and JF-17s from CCS #Dragons. SSS AEW&CS from No 3 squadron #Angels and DA-20 EW from No 24 Squadron #Blinders provided much needed support
... 2× IAF Su-30MKIs from No 15 squadron (221 sqn as claimed by PAF) and Mirage 2000Is from No 9 Squadron tried to intercept PAF fighters but were kept back after PAF F-16BM fired an AMRAAM at one of Sukhois. PAF claimed it was shot down but confirmation is hard to come by....
... Aircraft most likely survived proximity explosion. 5-6 MiG-21 Bisons belonging to No 51 squadron were scrambled from Srinagar AFS. Encountering heavy jamming leader of formation and CO, then Wing Commander Abhinandan lost his bearings and strayed into Pakistani...
... Airspace. He is alleged by India to be chasing PAF F-16s and shooting one down using R-73, but again confirmation has been hard to come by. Nonetheless he was struck by AMRAAM fired by OC No 29 squadron's F-16. He managed to eject and was taken POW. During same engagement..
.. An IAF Mi-17V-5 helo belonging to No 154 Helicopter unit was shot down.
It later transpired it was result of a fratricide when controllers at TADU Srinagar mistook it for UAV and engaged it.
Helo pilot reportedly had kept his IFF off while returning from a supply drop mission.
Everyone onboard ill fated chooper was killed. confirmed losses from engagement were IAF MiG-21 and Mi-17. Rest of claims were unverified.
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