India and Pakistan witnessed tensions related to the conflict-run state of Kashmir. Whereas, the significance of Feb 27 in the Pakistan-India Standoff is unforgettable. The Kashmir state in the north tip of both countries is periodically witnessing disaster after the nuclear tests were performed in 1998. Severe friction has released the following reminder of how quickly Kashmir could turn into a nuclear battleground over the last two years.

A paramilitary convoy that killed 40 security personnel was ambushed in the Pulwama area of the Indian city of Kashmir on February 14, 2015, by Adil Ahmad Dar. It appeared to be the worst terrorist act in Kashmir in 30 years, as claimed by the Pakistan-based outfit of the Jaish-e-Mohammed.

So what is the significance of Feb 27 in Pakistan-India standoff. Let’s have a look at the events held on the Surprise Day.

Pakistani-Indian Air Force Clash 2019

On February 26, 2019 the Indian jets had breached the Pakistani airspace. In a proactive operation in the Jaish-e-Mohammed camp that was registered by Islamabad as a terrorist organisation. New Delhi subsequently said that “several terrorists” were killed. However, Pakistan denied the assertion and claimed that the Indian bomb just hurt some trees and crows.

At a dogfight over the Kashmir border, on February 27, 2019, air forces from countries reported to have shot down each other’s fighter jets.

On the same day, an Indian helicopter was also destroyed on Indian side in Kashmir killing all 6 army aviation officers on board, during a brief act of India-Pakistan Animosity.

Operation Swift Retort 

The Operation Swift Retort was a quick reaction to the Indian Air Force attack in Balakot to overcome the airspace in Pakistan, which had just injured several trees and wild crows.

The PAF fired down 2 Indian fighter jets, named MIG-21 and Su-30. After the safe execution, Pakistan Army seized ex pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan and plunged into the Pakistani side of the control line.

In the history of Pakistan and its air force, 27 February 2019 will be recalled for easily reverting to a missed operating attack of the Indian Air Force in Balakot.

Even Pakistan Air Force (PAF) gave India a hard blow and a severely affected Indian morale too. The opponent wanted to hit Pakistan. It has been two years since Operation Swift Retort, from reaching two Indian aircraft accurately to catch the Indian pilot Abhinandan.

“India has awarded Abhinandan a bravery award for something he has never achieved. He was arrested and India did not strike our F-16 by Pakistani troops, “Air Commodore Syed Ahmer Raza, head of press and PAF spokesman, told Islamabad media.

Authorities from Pakistan still wonder why, even though the case took place 2 year ago, the Indian F-16 fighter jet has still not been demonstrated by New Delhi.

Whereas, following the Indian allegations, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) demonstrated all 4 missiles recovering from the warplane of the Abhinandan and denied Indian claims that Pakistani F-16 were being brought down.

A statue of Indian pilot Abhinandan was unveiled in the Pakistan Air Force museum as part of the Mission Swift Retort collection, which also includes the MiG-21’s remaining bits and debris, and a tea cup.

Significance of February 27: The Surprise Day Celebrations

Saturday was Surprise Day in which the country celebrated the downing of a Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s Indian fighter aircraft, which Pakistan Air Force (PAF) paid homage in 2019.

In the context of the PAF Operation Swift Retort, the PAF launched an alert to its confrontational neighbour on February 27, 2019, which was to shoot down two Indian Air Force aircraft and dropped the bomb inside Indian military complexes in the occupied Kashmir.

In the face of any wrongdoing the Pakistani Military fulfilled its pledge to ‘surprise’ India that the Indian military “would not go unprosecuted for the unknown” violence. The pilot was subsequently given as a token of kindness to Indian government.

In the meantime, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) celebrates 27 February as Surprise Day for its courageous defence of the holy land and rivals the Indian Air Force’s sovereignty on 27 February 2019 on account of the 2nd anniversary of operation Swift Retort.

Here at PAF offices Islamabad was the Surprise Day ceremony. The Swift Retort Operation was a quick reaction to the Balakot air attack in India, which had just damaged a couple of trees and birds in Pakistan.

Indo Pak Conflict – Kashmir Dispute

Jammu and Kashmir are retained in parts and are declared in whole by India and Pakistan. China is now keeping a thin sliver of Kashmir valley.

Both countries have waged 3 wars since their partitioning in 1947 – in 1948, 1965 and 1971. The Kashmir had two of them.

Some Kashmiri factions in Jammu and Kashmir are struggling for secession or union with neighboring Pakistan against the Indian law.

Several human rights groups have stated that since 1989, thousands of civilians have been murdered in the conflict.

Past Standoffs and Battles

Brasstacks Mission:

Around November 1986 and March 1987, India was the highest of its kind in South Asia. Responding to Pakistani agitation increased tensions and concerns of a further confrontation between the two countries.

India–Pakistan Crisis 2001–2002:

In the 2001–2002 standoff between India and Pakistan, the mass shooting on the Indian Parliament of 13 December 2001, on which India accused Pakistan-based terrorist groups, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohamed, took both nations close to war.

2008 India Pakistan standoff:

A fight between the two countries in response to the diplomatic initiative that defused the 2008 bombing in Mumbai. The conflicts between the two countries escalated after ten organised shootings of the attacks across Mumbai (India’s largest city), after India allegedly alleged that Pakistan supported the terrorists while Pakistan refused to do so. Pakistan has alerted and transferred its air force to the Indian border, expressing alarm about the Indian Armed Forces aggressive activities and potential intentions of the Indian Government to launch attacks on Pakistani land. The conflict disappeared quickly and Pakistan pulled its forces back.

India-Pakistan border incursions (2016-2018):

Border conflicts started on 29 September 2016 after reporting “surgical attacks” by India targeting jihadist posts across the Control Line in Pakistan-administered Kashmir “killing several terrorists.” Indian-Pakistan border crosses were killed by a significant number. Pakistan denied a strike saying that Indian forces had just brawled with the Pakistan army at the frontier, not crossing over the Line of Control, which resulted in the deaths of two Pakistani troops and the injuries of nine. Pakistan denied all other injuries in India’s news.

Final Word

The Significance of Feb 27 in Pakistan-India Standoff is an unforgettable day. It is marked by the shattering, by shooting at two Indian aircraft, and above all by catching an IAF pilot, of the India dream of invincibility and military superiority.

After the terror attack in Pulwama district of occupied Jammu/Kashmir on 14 February 2019, the Modi government’s scythe resulted in a dangerous confrontation between two nuclear powers in South Asia in February of 2019.