ISLAMABAD, Feb 27 : Pakistan here on Saturday celebrated the second anniversary of the “Operation Swift Retort’ that its air force had launched against intruding Indian jets in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on February 27, 2019, shooting down the adversary’s aircraft and arresting a pilot.

The main ceremony was held at the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) headquarters here, which was telecast live by all media channels besides airing documentaries based on the whole episode starting from the Pulwama incident to shooting down of two Indian aircraft, arrest and release of the captured pilot Abhinandan as a goodwill gesture by Pakistan.

On Feb 27 India showed aggression against Pakistan after the Pulwama incident, committed airspace violation and made a false claim of an airstrike.

The documentaries also carried the details that how the fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) engaged the invading aircraft of India on February 26, 2019, which fled back and dropped their payload in panic.

The next day, the PAF jets not only engaged the Indian aircraft on the violation of the airspace but also downed two of them, proving the Pakistan claim correct that the response of aggression would be “unusual, exclusive and stunning.”

February 27, 2021 was marked as the ‘Surprise Day’ to pay tribute to the valiant Shaheens for their heroic defence of the motherland while retaliating to Indian Air Force (IAF) violation of its sovereign territories on a momentous day.

President Dr Arif Alvi said Pakistan’s desire to maintain peace in the region must not be taken as its weakness.

“Will for peace is our strength, never consider it our weakness,” the President said in a tweet, saluting to the country’s valiant armed forces for making unsuccessful the Indian attempt of violating Pakistan’s airspace.

“Downing an Indian plane in our territory, we showed our resolve and superiority against all aggressors,” he said, adding Pakistan wanted peace, but not at the cost of sacrificing the brutalized people of Kashmir.

Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan always stood for peace and remained ready to move forward to resolve all outstanding issues with India through dialogue.

He congratulated the nation and saluted the armed forces on the second anniversary of the country’s response to India’s illegal, reckless military strikes against Pakistan.

“As a proud and confident nation, we responded with determined resolve at a time & place of our choosing,” he said in a series of tweets.

Imran Khan said, “We also demonstrated to the world Pakistan’s responsible behavior in the face of India’s irresponsible military brinkmanship, by returning the captured Indian pilot.”

Addressing a ceremony at the Air Headquarters, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan said the PAF proved its capability of being ‘second to none’ as per the vision of the founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, during the Operation Swift Retort on February 27, 2019, besides establishing its supremacy in the air.

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, addressing the audience during the commemoration ceremony of Operation Swift Retort at Air Headquarters. APP
“Thanks to Almighty Allah that the PAF had deterred the aggressor (India) who gravely miscalculated and challenged our sovereignty,” he said and added that on the strength of capability and resolve, the PAF responded in a manner that made the nation proud.

He also appreciated all PAF personnel for their professionalism, valour and commitment during Operation Swift Retort.

“Pakistan is a responsible and peace-loving nation and its armed forces are prepared to defend its territorial integrity at all costs.”

He said Pakistan’s efforts for global and regional peace particularly in Afghanistan, Middle East and UN peacekeeping missions were being acknowledged by the international community. “One such manifestation of peace was witnessed by the world through unconditional return of the captured Indian pilot by the government of Pakistan.”

The Air Chief emphasized: “However, let me make it clear that our desire for peace should not be misunderstood. In case of any misadventure, our response would be swift, resolute and unwavering.”

A documentary was also screened on the occasion highlighting the circumstances leading to an Indian Air Force airstrike at Balakot and its subsequent rapid response by the PAF in the shape of Operation Swift Retort leaving Indian forces badly humiliated and defeated in the encounter. Former Air Chiefs and a large number of PAF officials witnessed the ceremony.

Director General Inter Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said February 27, 2019 was the testament that Pakistan Armed Forces, with support of the nation, would always defend the motherland against all threats.

In a tweet, he said it was not the numerical strength of the armed forces that gave nation dominance over its adversary in wars rather the valour and determination of a resilient nation that achieves victory in the end.“It is not the numbers but courage and will of a resilient nation that triumphs in the end.”

Major General Babar Iftikhar further said: “Pakistan stands for peace but when challenged, shall respond with full might.”