Folks we need read reports/statements carefully before coming to conclusions. While the details are hazy but when one uses a report as the basis to draw a conclusion one must be true to the data in the report.
Lets look at the TOI report as an example
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/ind ... 278310.cms
Use of F-16s, AMRAAM conclusively observed: IAF
"Our air defence system was on full alert. Buildup of PAF aircraft on their (Pakistan) side of the LoC was noticed in time and additional aircraft were scrambled to tackle the adversary," the IAF statement said.
"Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to the AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile. Parts of the missile fell in the area east of Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir, injuring a civilian on the ground," the statement said.
The IAF said PAF's attempt to attack Indian ground targets saw the intruding fighters being engaged effectively. From the IAF, Mirage-2000 + , Su-30 and MiG-21 Bison aircraft were involved and the PAF aircraft were forced to withdraw in a hurry, evident from large missed distances of weapons dropped by them .
While a lot of details are missing what is being stated via the report is a follows.
1. Buildup on PAF aircrafts on the baki side of LOC was noticed.
2. IAF scrambled additional aircraft to tackle them.
3. PAF attempted to attack Indian ground targets.
4. Intruding fighters where engaged effectively.
5. PAF aircrafts were forces to withdraw in a hurry.
6. Prompt and correct tactical action by Su-30 aircraft, in response to the AMRAAM launch, defeated the missile.
7. Parts of the missile fell in the area east of Rajouri in Jammu & Kashmir.
There is no details on the following
1. Did ALL of the PAF aircraft enter the Indian side of the LOC or did some hang back?
2. Were the AMRAAM launched by the PAF intruders or from PAF aircrafts still on the baki side of the LOC.
3. The actual area where the engagement occurred.
4. Did Wg Cdr Abhi chase the F-16 across the LOC?
What we can be *deduce* from what has been release above with a fair degree to certainty.
1. The engagements took place between LOC and Rajouri.
2. Wg Cdr Abhi *might* have crossed the LOC BUT the engagement started on the Indian side.
I had previously read Many Pubby's tweet that the engagement was around "Nowshera" so I did a google search. Found earlier reports that are *indicative* of this thought it is not part of the official release by IAF.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-ne ... IrOBI.html
‘Over in 90 seconds’: Officers detail India, Pakistan air duel along border
The dogfight between Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, flying a Russian made MiG-21 and a Pakistan Air Force US made F-16 over the skies of the Nowshera in Rajouri District of Jammu Province on Wednesday lasted just 90 seconds, a senior Indian Air Force (IAF) officer said on condition of anonymity.
The 90 seconds will perhaps go down in the history of aircraft encounters.
In the 90 seconds, the Pakistani fighter fired two US AMRAAM missiles and an aging MiG-21 shot down a fourth generation F-16 fighter — a feat that will go into the history books considering the asymmetry between the two fighters. Soon after, the MiG, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman was shot down.
....
On Wednesday, the incoming pack of 12 Pakistani fighters, comprising US-made F-16, French-made Mirages and JF-17 fighters made in Pakistan were detected by an Airborne Warning and Control System (AWAC) hovering inside India. Pakistan was responding to air strikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Immediately, fighters from Avantipora, Srinagar and other airfields were scrambled. The MiG-21 being the closest, approached the PAF fighters, a senior official in the security establishment who did not want to be named said. From a distance, the entire dogfight was picked up the AWAC and also other Indian fighters.
The MiG-21 locked on to the F-16 when it was flying at about 15000ft and the F-16 at about 9000 ft. The MiG-21 started diving to get a better shot at the F-16. The F-16 took evasive measures. It went into a steep climb,” a second senior official in the security establishment said and added that “the F-16 climbed to about 26000 ft.”
By this time the MiG-21’s pilot had skillfully manoeuvred his aircraft behind the PAF fighter, positioning itself at a sixty-degree angle for maximum impact. It fired a Russian made Vympel R-73 (NATO name AA-11 Archer) missile hitting the F-16. Even as R-73 missile was closing into its target, the wingman of the F-16 now in the crosshairs moved in. He fired his weapon and hit the MiG-21. “No radio call from the MiG -21 was received,” the official said.
