Pakistan is observing the fourth anniversary of Operation Swift Retort—popularly known as Surprise Day— when the country’s armed forces gave a befitting response to Indian pilots.
On February 27 in 2019, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down two Indian planes that had violated Pakistani airspace. One of the Indian pilots—Abhinandan Varthaman—was captured alive by Pakistan, but was later handed over to the rival country as a gesture of peace and goodwill.
In a tweet, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to the Pakistan Air Force on Monday for its “befitting response” to the Indian violation of Pakistan’s airspace “on the pretext of false flag Pulwama attack”.
“While we aim for peace with all, we are mindful of our duty to defend the country. Let no one make any mistake about it,” he warned.
Today the nation pays rich tribute to PAF for a befitting response to the Indian violation of Pakistan’s air space on the pretext of false flag Pulwama attack. While we aim for peace with all, we are mindful of our duty to defend the country. Let no one make any mistake about it.
At the time, Abhinandan’s praise for the tea he was served grabbed the attention of the world, and Twitterati didn’t hold back on the jokes. This year too, social media users remembered the fateful day in a fun way.
The incident happened after 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were killed by a young Kashmiri boy. Later, India blamed Pakistan for the attack and Indian Air Force (IAF) launched an aerial strike near Balakot on February 26, 2019.
Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets crossed the line of control in a tit-for-tat move into Indian territory.
The PAF shot down two IAF aircraft and captured one of the pilots. The debris of the SU-30 fell in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and its pilot was killed, while the MiG-21 pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan, whose aircraft fell on the Pakistan side was captured alive.
Indian Air Force (IAF) Wing Commander Abhinandan — who was briefly captured after his aircraft was shot down by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) pilot — has said he saw “no reason for us to continue with any kind of hostilities”.
“I see no reason for us to continue with any kind of hostilities,” Abhinandan said in a video message. “I do not know what we should do to achieve peace but I only know that there should be peace,” he added.
“I see no reason for us to continue with hostility i think India and Pakistan need peace” that was the message of Wing Commander #Abhinandan of IAF who was caught in Azad Jammu & Kashmir after his aircraft was shot down by PAF two years ago on Feb 27th 2019 pic.twitter.com/e2dyeSv4PS
During the video, Abhinandan said that neither he nor the Pakistanis know “what is happening to a Kashmiri”. “We must think with calm heads,” said the pilot.
“I saw both countries when I was coming down on a parachute, and I could not differentiate between the two countries from above,” the pilot said, adding that he sees no differences between the two countries.
“When I fell down I did not know whether I was in Pakistan or my own country India. To me, both countries looked the same, the people looked the same as well,” the pilot said in the video.
Speaking about his crash, he said he was badly injured when he was ejected from the plane. The pilot said that he was badly injured when he ejected from his aircraft and once he landed he was not able to move. He added that after landing, he tried finding out which country he was in.
“When it looked to me that I was not in my country, I tried running,” says the Indian pilot, adding that a “charged” crowd tried capturing him as well but he was saved by the Pakistan Army.
On Feb 27, 2019, Pakistan shot down an Indian plane and captured its pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan and Twitter hasn’t forgotten it. The retaliation was in response to Balakot strikes that India conducted in Pakistan to destroy an alleged terror camp in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
To mark the downing of the Indian plane, Pakistan had announced to celebrate ‘Surprise Day’ on February 27 as a tribute to the retaliatory attack by the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) after India’s Balakot airstrike.
On Feb 27, 2019, the PAF carried out Operation Swift Retort and shot down two Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter aircraft and dropped bombs within the compounds of Indian military facilities in occupied Kashmir – as a warning to the country’s belligerent neighbour.
The Pakistani military had lived up to its promise to ‘surprise’ India in wake of any misadventure, saying that ‘uncalled-for aggression’ from the Indian military ‘would not go unpunished.
PM Imran Khan also congratulated the entire nation on the second anniversary of Pakistan’s response to India’s military adventure.
I congratulate the entire nation & salute our Armed Forces on the 2nd Anniversary of our response to India’s illegal, reckless military adventure of air strikes against Pakistan. As a proud & confident nation, we responded with determined resolve at a time & place of our choosing
We also demonstrated to the world Pakistan’s responsible behaviour in the face of India’s irresponsible military brinkmanship, by returning the captured Indian pilot. We have always stood for peace & remain ready to move forward to resolve all outstanding issues through dialogue.
The capture of the pilot and his subsequent video released by Pakistan has become a butt of many a joke: ‘Tea is fantastic’ most famous among them. Abhinandan was freed by Pakistan on March 1 as a peace gesture, but he has left many meme trends in his wake.
So today, Twitter is buzzing with Abhinandan-related trend again. ‘HappySurpriseDayIndia’, ‘WorldsBiggestTeaParty’, ‘Abhinandan’, and BalakotAirstrikes topped Twitter on the second anniversary of India’s defeat in the dog fight.
Shehzad Roy is not one to keep it subtle. From social issues to the lack of infrastructure and utilities in Pakistan, the singer and musician aptly uses social media to raise his voice and create awareness.
Known for his timeless songs like Laga Reh, Roy has returned to the music industry with yet another masterpiece. Titled Kon Kis Ka Aadmi Hai, the song highlights Pakistanis curiosity to know who is working for whom and their habit of making assumptions rather than seeking the truth.
The most plausible aspect of Roy’s songs in their ability to address serious issues with a touch of humour. Kon Kis Ka Aadmi Hai adds elements of hip hop and street dance to an otherwise simple song which features Roy performing with a guitar.
Most interestingly, the song manages to mention Modi and the current farmers’ protest in India, the capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan by Pakistan, and the two-faced nature of people, all of whom have some sort of agenda to fulfil.
The cherry on top in the video directed by Faisal Qureshi is the presence of Roy’s son, Sikandar Alam Roy, on drums followed by his punchline at the end of the song. Pakistan-based Australian artist Gabrielle Brinsmead also makes a special appearance in the video with a Cello.
The song has been gathering praises from its listeners who definitely seem enthusiastic about Roy returning to the world of music with yet another powerful song.
Best song with msg after decades. Love it❤️ the best part.. Your son on drums
Renowned Turkish chef Burak Özdemir has trolled India by quoting the iconic line of Indian pilot Abhinandan Varthaman that “the tea is fantastic” in Pakistan.
The line became famous when Indian wing commander was captured and then released shortly after his plane was shot down in Pakistani airspace in 2019.
The viral video showed the captured Indian pilot praising Pakistani tea and the Pakistan Army for treating him with respect. Tea memes broke the internet back then.
Özdemir, the 26-year-old Turkey-based chef, relishes cooking large-sized meals on camera. Burak has become a global sensation with almost 500,000 followers on Twitter and 17.2million followers on Instagram.
He has recently landed in Pakistan and revealed plans to open restaurants in the country, besides having won hearts for sharing a meal with the homeless at a shelter home in Islamabad.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to stand by its party leader Ayaz Sadiq over a controversial statement pertaining to Indian pilot Abhinandan’s release, saying Sadiq was being targetted to settle political scores.
In separate statements, PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal and Rana Sanaullah defended the former National Assembly speaker and said the government was blowing his remarks out of proportion. The statement came a day after the government spokesperson accused Sadiq of committing an “unforgivable offence”.
PML-N General Secretary Ahsan Iqbal said that there was nothing illogical about Ayaz’s statement, explaining that “a weak economy translates into a weak defence”. “Accumulative national strength is reliant to an extent on armed forces and to a larger extent on its economic and foreign policy depth.”
Meanwhile, Sanaullah, who heads the party’s Punjab chapter, said the government’s attempts to link the statement with the Indian narrative were problematic.
“If Ayaz Sadiq’s choice of words was not right, where was the National Assembly speaker? The government is linking the opposition’s statements with the Indian narrative,” he remarked. The situation will get out of control if things continue in the same manner, he warned.
Meanwhile, at least two complaints were registered against the PML-N leader for issuing a controversial statement on the floor of the National Assembly. These complaints were lodged at the Civil Lines police station, Lahore, and Secretariat police station, Islamabad.
The complainants accused the lawmaker of “hurting the sentiments of the nation” and malign Pakistan on a global level.
Dunya News reported that the complainants were forwarded to the legal departments of the police for consultation and action would be taken accordingly.
On Friday, Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz hinted at legal action against Ayaz Sadiq for accusing the government of releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under pressure. “What Ayaz Sadiq said is not forgivable,” he tweeted, adding that law will take its course now.
Federal Minister for Information Shibli Faraz has hinted at legal action against former National Assembly speaker Ayaz Sadiq for accusing the government of releasing Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under pressure, fearing Indian attack.
“What Ayaz Sadiq said is not forgivable,” he tweeted, adding that law will take its course now.
ایاز صادق کی کہی ہوئی بات معافی سے آگے نکل چکی ہے۔اب قانون اپنا راستہ لے گا۔ریاست کو کمزور کرنا ناقابل معافی جرم ہے جس کی سزاایاز صادق اور ان کے حواریوں کو ضرور ملنی چاہیے۔
Faraz asserted that “weakening the state” was an “unpardonable offense”, and promised that Sadiq and his followers will be punished for it.
The statement by the government’s premier spokesperson comes a day after Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar set the record straight about the events surrounding February 27 — the day Pakistan downed two IAF planes and captured Abhinandan.
“Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day,” the military spokesperson said during a media briefing that had come a day after Sadiq among other senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians accused the government of taking the decision to release the pilot under pressure.
Earlier, Sadiq had said that FM Qureshi “was present in the meeting, which Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan had refused to attend”.
“India never attacked Pakistan but the government nonetheless handed over Abhinandan to the Indian authorities,” he had said, adding that it was the PTI government and not the opposition that had passed an ordinance to “facilitate” Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Reacting to his claims, the FM regretted how “responsible people were making irresponsible statements”.
BIG: Pakistan’s Member of Parliament Ayaz Sadiq makes explosive claim, says, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi begged before them to let Wing Cdr. Abhinandan cross back to India or else at 9pm that day India would launch attack on Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/OOjCkj39rY
He said he had not expected the former NA speaker to say Pakistan let go Abhinandan under pressure and that his comments were “contrary to the truth”.
Qureshi explained that in the meeting, the government had taken all parliamentary leaders into confidence regarding the intelligence reports it had received but made no mention of the captured Indian pilot. “Highly irresponsible statements are being issued for political gains,” he lamented while also slamming the opposition for its stance on Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
“These people are misleading the nation on the issues of Kulbhushan and Abhinandan,” he had maintained.
Ahead of the military’s version, Sadiq had also questioned PM Imran’s motives behind delaying a meeting related to Abhinandan on the day of his capture.
Ayaz Sadiq says Indian media twisting his statement to NA, says it’s a reality PM Imran Khan asked for NRO for Abhinandan who attacked Pakistan and should not have been returned to India pic.twitter.com/JR6hukAuZp
He lambasted the Indian media for “distorting” his comments from the National Assembly session a day earlier when he had alleged that the government took the decision to release the IAF pilot under pressure.
“One thing is clear: Abhinandan did not come to Pakistan to distribute sweets; he had attacked Pakistan,” the PML-N leader said.
Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry has slammed Indian media for taking his remarks on Pakistan’s response to the Balakot airstrikes out of context and twisting his words to “malign” Islamabad.
In a statement, the minister said that the Indian media “acted with gross irresponsibility by misrepresenting the context of the speech” he delivered during a session of the National Assembly on Thursday. During his address, the federal minister gave his two cents on the controversy surrounding the release of Indian pilot Abhinandan after the Balakot strikes.
“Humne Hindustan ko ghus ke maara (India was given a beating on its own turf). Our success in Pulwama, is the success of the people under the leadership of Imran Khan. We are all part of that success,” Fawad Chaudhry had said.
Following these remarks, the Indian media said that the minister admitted Pakistan’s involvement in the Pulwama bombing that left at least 40 Indian soldiers dead in Feb 2019. Some Indian outlets used these statements to link Pakistan with deadly Pulwama bombing, allegations that Pakistani denies.
Reacting to thes reports, the minister issued a rebuttal, saying the media was twisting his words, as it was obvious he meant the dogfight that resulted in Abhinandan’s capture. “The India jets that entered the Pakistani airspace and got shot down by the Pakistan Air Force. The PAF also captured a pilot, who was returned by the government as a gesture of peace.
“As a matter of fact, [Fawad] Hussain referred to the ‘Operation Swift Retort’ which was a successful military response by the PAF to the transgression by the Indian airforce into Pakitan’s territory, as a result of which two Indian jets were shot down, not to mention the arrest of the widely discussed pilot, who was later released by the government of Pakistan as a diplomatic gesture of peace,” said the statement issued by the spokesperson of the Science and Technology Ministry.
Meri jaan hear full speech so you will know unlike #Endian definition of #GhussKMarna by using terrorism n Kalbhoshans our #GhussKMarna is when our planes target combat installations,unlike Your security doctrine we do not show Bravery by killing innocents n we condemn terrorism https://t.co/bcAcJUP5DD
“It is reiterated that Pakistan has always upheld the international norms of peace and tranquility, and believes in mutual co-existence and cordial relations with its neighbouring countries,” said the minister, as he cleared the “gross” misinterpretation.
The Indian media should promote peace with Pakistan instead of trying to capitalise on polarising rhetoric, the statement concluded.
WAS ABHINANDAN RELEASED UNDER PRESSURE?
This all started when former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq among other senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians accused the government of taking the decision to release the India pilot under pressure. Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi had “begged the opposition to release Abhinandan, otherwise, according to the FM, India would have attacked Pakistan at 9 pm that day,” the lawmaker said during a session of the National Assembly.
In response, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar held a press conference to set the record straight about the events surrounding the capture and release of the Indian wing commander, Abhinandan.
“Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day,” the military spokesperson said during the media briefing.
Reacting to the claims that have been made a mountain of by Indian media, Maj Gen Iftikhar said that after the Pulwama incident, on February 26, India violated all international principles and attacked Pakistan. “They not only faced defeat but humiliation all over the world,” Geo News quoted him as saying.
“Our timely response derailed their efforts. Their planes and the explosives they had come to rain down on the Pakistani people, they instead dropped on empty mountains. They left in a panicked state after being confronted by our planes.”
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar has set the record straight about the events surrounding February 27 — the day Pakistan downed two Indian Air Force (IAF) planes and captured an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
“Yesterday such a statement was given in which facts were attempted to be twisted surrounding the events that day,” the military spokesperson said during a media briefing that came a day after former National Assembly speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq among other senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) parliamentarians accused the government of taking the decision to release the pilot under pressure.
Foreign Minister (FM) Shah Mahmood Qureshi had “begged the opposition to release Abhinandan, otherwise, according to the FM, India would have attacked Pakistan at 9 pm that day,” they had claimed.
Reacting to the claims that have been made a mountain of by Indian media, Maj Gen Iftikhar said that after the Pulwama incident, on February 26, India violated all international principles and attacked Pakistan. “They not only faced defeat but humiliation all over the world,” Geo News quoted him as saying.
“Our timely response derailed their efforts. Their planes and the explosives they had come to rain down on the Pakistani people, they instead dropped on empty mountains. They left in a panicked state after being confronted by our planes.”
WATCH FULL MEDIA BRIEFING:
He said that in response, the Pakistan Army, in accordance with the people’s wishes, sought to “teach the enemy a lesson”.
“On this decision, all civil and military leadership was on a single page. We responded with full might in the light of day and shot down two planes, along with arresting their pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan [Varthaman],” said the ISPR DG, recalling the events.
He said that the enemy was in such a panicked state that it shot down its own helicopter.
“We gave them a bloody nose and they are still hurting.”
Maj Gen Iftikhar said that Pakistan secured a “clear victory” that day against India. He said not only was India’s hollowed state of preparedness exposed that day but the entire Pakistani nation’s heads were held high.
He said this triumph was not only celebrated in Pakistan but the entire world recognised it. “India held its non-availability of Rafale jets accountable for the defeat,” he added.
The ISPR chief said that the government of Pakistan, in a measured and responsible move, decided to “give peace a chance” and hand over the captured war prisoner Wing Commander Abhinandan over. “The move, which was in accordance with the Geneva Convention, was lauded by the entire world.”
PML-N LEADER’SCLARIFICATION:
Ahead of the military spokesperson’s briefing, Sadiq questioned Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s motives behind delaying a meeting related to Abhinandan on the day of his capture.
He lambasted the Indian media for “distorting” his comments from the National Assembly session a day earlier when he had alleged that the government took the decision to release the IAF pilot under pressure.
“One thing is clear: Abhinandan did not come to Pakistan to distribute sweets; he had attacked Pakistan,” the PML-N leader said.
Ayaz Sadiq says Indian media twisting his statement to NA, says it’s a reality PM Imran Khan asked for NRO for Abhinandan who attacked Pakistan and should not have been returned to India pic.twitter.com/JR6hukAuZp
He noted that PM Imran Khan had convened a meeting of parliamentary leaders pertaining to the Indian pilot but it saw a considerable delay in starting. “The prime minister, through Foreign Minister [Shah Mahmood Qureshi], had said that Abhinandan should be handed over to India immediately.
“What was the reason for a delay in the meeting?” Sadiq asked. “Was he taking dictation from Modi?”
“Did he not consider it appropriate to share with us [the reason for a delay]?” he inquired.
‘GOVT FEARED INDIAN ATTACK’:
Sadiq on Wednesday had said that FM Qureshi “was present in the meeting, which PM Imran had refused to attend”.
“India never attacked Pakistan but the government nonetheless handed over Abhinandan to the Indian authorities,” he had said, adding that it was the PTI government and not the opposition that had passed an ordinance to “facilitate” Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
Reacting to his claims, the FM regretted how “responsible people were making irresponsible statements”.
BIG: Pakistan’s Member of Parliament Ayaz Sadiq makes explosive claim, says, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi begged before them to let Wing Cdr. Abhinandan cross back to India or else at 9pm that day India would launch attack on Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/OOjCkj39rY
He said he had not expected the former NA speaker to say Pakistan let go Abhinandan under pressure and that his comments were “contrary to the truth”.
Qureshi explained that in the meeting, the government had taken all parliamentary leaders into confidence regarding the intelligence reports it had received but made no mention of the captured Indian pilot. “Highly irresponsible statements are being issued for political gains,” he lamented while also slamming the opposition for its stance on Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.
“These people are misleading the nation on the issues of Kulbhushan and Abhinandan,” he had maintained.
Looks like Pakistanis will never let Indians forget about their little misadventure in Pakistan, Balakot to be precise.
Soon after Kangana Ranaut shared a new look of her upcoming film Tejas in which she is seen standing next to a jet in uniform, Feroze Khan invited the actor to Pakistan for tea.
“New jets?,” commented Feroze. “I see! Come over for chai (tea) sometime with us.”
The Pakistani actor was referring to last year’s incident in which the Pakistan Air Force shot down an Indian jet in Balakot and captured the pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. However, he was released a day later by Prime Minister Imran Khan as a goodwill gesture to promote peace between the two countries.
Later, Feroze engaged with some of the Indian trolls himself and said that he will “fight for what I think is right”.
– google’s CEO is sunder pichai … you think they will project Pakistan in any good shape? Recently shot down a aircraft – the recent https://t.co/PgpC8pyp7r
and that’s what I am now about to do at the cost of anything I will fight for what I think is right… I don’t care who thinks what. https://t.co/OU3DqGFdWd
— Kangana Ranaut (Modi Ka Parivar) (@KanganaTeam) August 28, 2020
The film which is being produced by the makers of Uri: The Surgical Strike is scheduled to go on floors by the end of this year.
Speaking about the film, Kangana, in a statement said: “Tejas is an exhilarating story where I have the privilege of playing an air force pilot. I am honoured to be a part of a film that celebrates these brave men and women in uniform who make immense sacrifices in the line of duty every day. Our film celebrates the armed forces and its heroes.”
Meanwhile, director Sarvesh Mewara while speaking about the project said: “My film is a reflection of the current sentiment in our country. We celebrate our armed forces and I hope to further evoke a spirit of patriotism and nationalism through my storytelling. Kangana is a strong woman with a voice that resonates with the youth of this nation and I cannot wait to begin shooting with Kangana.”
The film is expected to be shot in Mumbai and Rajasthan. A release date has not yet been announced.
