[🇵🇰] 2019 02/27: Pakistan / India ..Operation Swift Retort

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Source : https://www.PKDefense.com

 

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PAF Pilot Sibtain Akhtar, who was flying JF-17 Thunder during Operation Swift Retort and dropped 2 × REK smart bombs Inside IIOJK.

 

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Everything is temporary, but tea is always fantastic.

 

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PAF ‘Ops Swift Retort’ and effectiveness of Air Power​

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“The world stands on the threshold of the “aeronautical era”. During this epoch the destinies of all people will be controlled through the air”.
–Brig Gen William Billy Mitchells

16 Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000s and Su-30s, supported by airborne early warning (AEW) planes, stole their way into Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on the night of 26th Feb, 2019 (on the pretext of attacking some non-existent terrorist camps) hastily dropped 1000 kg bombs on a few trees and fled back into India in quick time to avoid facing the approaching JF-17 challengers.

The very next day the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) paid back the Indian Air Force in full and with some to spare. In broad daylight it launched stand-off weapons targeting 4 vulnerable points (VPs), and then staying put in the air for several minutes, openly daring the Indian fighters to test their fighting prowess against our air warriors. None accepted the challenge, only Wg Cdr Abhinandan crossed the LoC and PAF was glad to shoot him down, rest of his section fled back in disarray.

Whatever may be the statement of the Indian Air Chief and however concocted the narrative of Indian Foreign office and media, Operation Swift Retort by Pakistan Air Force on 27th February, 2019 has left the Indian political leadership, military hierarchy and its Air Force severely bruised, scared and bleeding.

The whole story and Bollywood theme made up of lies fabricated by fascist Modi mafia has kept a nation of 1.2 billion people hostage and intellectually paralyzed. On the contrary Pakistani media, government and military has shown relatively mature and composed reaction, by offering peace against war-mongering Indian narrative.

The victory PAF achieved against IAF in the air battle on 27th Feb was neither a surprise nor a coincidence. While always thanking the Divine Being for His kind support, undoubtedly PAF over the year has maintained its optimum operational readiness, remained abreast of air power’s ever-evolving technology, techniques and tactics.

The legacy of leadership bequeathed by Air Marshal Asghar Khan and Air Marshal Nur Khan and the examples of bravery and professionalism set by Sarfraz Rafiqui, MM Alam and many other aerial warriors in 1965 and 1971 wars and elsewhere have always made us proud. The high standards set by them have become benchmark for men in blue. Well before 26th Feb, PAF leadership had exactly foreseen the intentions of their enemy and prepared their response against IAF adventurism. That one mission on 27th Feb was true reflection of PAF preparedness, confidence and of its resolve to defend our aerial frontiers.

That single mission of ‘Swift Retort’ was shining example of PAF training standards and display of how PAF maintains ascendency against a numerically superior adversary.
The IAF Chief had to humbly accept his force’s deficiencies when he publically admitted that “Rafale presence could have turned the balance in our favour” – after all his air force had just lost to a much smaller one in an air battle where the elements of surprise and concentration of force had been with him to begin with. His 200+ Su-30s and 60+ Mirage 2000s, admittedly had proved toothless against PAF’s few fighter jets. So this brings us to the basic questions of “why did they venture on 26th? Did they hypothesize that PAF would never respond? Were they over-powered by Modi’s political madness and forced to undertake the so- called surgical strikes or else both their political and military objectives were not aligned?” Were they not well equipped to take on PAF? Were they not well trained? Had the IAF leadership failed to read the will of PAF leadership?”

During this short battle, IAF lost one Mig-21 in AJK, one Su-30 inside Indian Occupied Kashmir and one Mi-17 helicopter most likely to friendly air-to-air missile, and the jewel in the crown was when poor ‘Abhinandan” was made to shoot an F-16 by Indian media, a story that credible foreign media denied, by verifying the existence of complete inventory of PAF F-16s after action. The claim of “First Mig-21 pilot in the world to shoot down an F-16 jet” has not been owned even by their ‘hero’ Wing Commander Abhinandan. Neither has he been produced in front of media to narrate the details of his heroic deed and bold encounter. India, in general, has lost face in the world and the Indian Air Chief’s loss of face has been total.

Operation Swift Retort has clearly demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to retaliate proportionately against Indian provocation while denying IAF impunity and freedom of action over Pakistani air space. For those familiar with characteristics and tenets of air power, can appreciate that it was nothing extra-ordinary that IAF was able to make a quick incursion into Pakistan on 26th Feb and withdraw but PAF response in broad daylight was far more bold, daring and conceptually imaginative. The Indian airstrike lost its value in one day-no more. Indian leadership was running from pillar to post. The Indian conventional deterrence was so badly compromised by the end of air action.

In the final analysis, Air forces of the world are measured by air power effectiveness, which in my reckoning is not only a matter of numbers and technology but of many other factors that are of varying importance at varying times. They mainly include morale, which reflects motivation and willingness to stick together and act as a team in the heat of combat.

In this operation the PAF came out strongly as a well-gelled team. The way the entire operation was planned and executed and was fully supported by its smaller teams of logisticians, engineers, ATC and air defence controllers and executed by the pilots is absolutely commendable. PAF had fully transformed itself to fight in this futuristic battle under the dynamic leadership of successive Air Chiefs. Another factor is leadership, which includes the vision and performance of senior leaders at the strategic level, and their ability to design, plan and conduct campaigns at the operational level. Equally important is tactical leadership for application of force in an integrated fashion.

Lastly training featuring realistic training scenarios, large scale exercises and each individual pilot’s confidence in his machine. Air war is a competition and thus its effectiveness will always be measured against an opponent, who is also changing and adapting to newer technological / operational advancements. If we analyze the complete scenario of attack by IAF and counterattack by PAF, the interplay of above factors reveals that PAF displayed superior effectiveness of air power and ultimately achieved its objectives.

Exchange of air firepower between IAF and PAF on 26th and 27th does suggest that there will always be space for conventional exchange between two neighbouring nuclear-armed states. It would seem that early employment of air power may become a new normal in any future battle scenarios between India and Pakistan. It would thus be extremely vital for Pakistan military and civilian leadership to understand the importance of the air force and ensuring its future transformation to dominate the operational environment that is rapidly and continuously evolving in spheres of technology / capability.

Air mindedness of the top leadership of a nation determines how best to apply air power to meet its national security objectives. Indian night air strike of 26th Feb and PAF’s ‘Swift Retort’ have demonstrated that air power offers itself as alternative of choice to our political and military leadership to effectively demonstrate its political will. Properly trained, futuristically equipped and gallantly led, a smaller Pakistan air force can hold a larger Indian air force at bay. A strong conventional air action could still avert a resort to the employment of strategic weapons.

“A country without a strong air force is at the mercy of any aggressor. Pakistan must build up her air force as quickly as possible. It must be an efficient air force, second to none”.
–Quaid-e-Azam

PAF 'Ops Swift Retort' and effectiveness of Air Power by Air Vice Marshal Sohail Malik - CASS Publications

“The world stands on the threshold of the “aeronautical era”. During this epoch the destinies of all people will be controlled through the air”. –Brig Gen

casstt.com

 

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Pakistan’s coordinated political, diplomatic, and military response shows Pakistan’s strong will to protect its integrity in case it will be challenged by any foreign country.

Pakistan’s limited and befitted response to the Indian attempt to sabotage the peace of the region was commendable and gave the world a message that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state that knows how to protect its sovereignty in case any country tries to challenge it. It also exposed Indian strategic deterrence in time of conflict.

The PAF completely exposed the IAF’s mishandling of the situation on 27 Feb, shooting down their own Helicopter.

 

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Feb 27 to be remembered as ‘Operation Swift Retort’ Day: Pakistan Air Chief​

Zeeshan Mahmood
2 May 2019

Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan– while addressing the 264th Air Staff Presentation held at the Air headquarters Islamabad– has announced to celebrate February 27th as the Operation Swift Retort Day.

Addressing the principal staff officers, field commanders, officers and airmen, the air chief stated, “We bow our heads in complete humility and thank Almighty Allah for providing us an opportunity to come up to the expectations of our nation in giving a befitting reply to the enemy’s misadventure during the recent Indo-Pak conflict.” He said the “PAF’s swift response was the demonstration of our firm resolve, capacity, and capability in thwarting the nefarious designs of the adversary.”

February 26th and 27th are significant as Pakistan Air Force (PAF) foiled the attempts of Indian Air Force intrusion into Pakistan’s airspace from LoC Kashmir. On the night of February 26th, Indian jets violated the airspace of Pakistan but with the swift action from PAF, the Indian jets were chased off within a few seconds of the violation.

Later on Wednesday, 27th February, PAF shot down two Indian jets– as they attempted to violate Pakistan’s airspace– resulting in the death of one Indian soldier, and the capture of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who survived the crash but fell on the Pakistani side of the border. Pakistan Air Force was appreciated immensely for safeguarding the aerial space of the country from the Indian aggression.

Air Chief Marshall Mujahid Anwar further said to the audience, “I salute each one of you for showing strong commitment, perseverance, and motivation at being deployed at forwards operating basis at these tough testing times. Mujahid reiterated his resolve that in case of any misadventure by the adversary, PAF response would be even stronger than before.

 

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The wreckage of Wg. Cdr. Abhinandan Varthaman’s MiG-21bisUPG Bison stored at a secret location in Pakistan. The jet was shot down by an AIM-120C-5 AMRAAM fired by Wg Cdr Noman Ali Khan in an F-16A. Wg Cdr Khan received the third-highest military medal, the Sitara-e-Jurat, for his effort.

 

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A close-up of the MiG-21bisUPG Bison tail with the serial CU-2328. The Bison pilot, Wg Cdr Abhinandan Varthaman, was returned to India on March 1.
All photos Alan Warnes

 

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No 15 Squadron commander Wg Cdr (now Gp Capt) Faheem Ahmed heads up the group. He was awarded the Tamgha-e-Jurat, Pakistan’s fourth-highest military medal, for his role leading the squadron into battle.

The three pilots directly behind him – Sqn Ldr Waqar Saleem, Wg Cdr Rashid Sulehri and Sqn Ldr Faisal Hassan – also flew in the raid and received medals.

 

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All four of the missiles under the Bison’s wings are stored in a secret location. The R-73 (AA-11 ‘Archer’) and R-77 (AA-12 ‘Adder’) that were under the left wing are seen nearest. Both were scorched by the fire that engulfed the aircraft after it crashed. The ejection seat was also on display.

 

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A No 15 Squadron Mirage 5PA parked at a forward operating base in mid-April 2019. Six weeks after the events of February 27, Operation Swift Retort was still ongoing and all PAF personnel and jets remained on a high level of alert.

 

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A No 16 Squadron ‘Black Panthers’ JF-17 lifts of during a training sortie. Two of the unit’s aircraft dropped 1,000lb IREKs on targets in India in retaliation for the strikes on Balakot during February 26.

 

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Remembering the day....

 

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The Armed Forces of #Pakistan, along with the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and Services Chiefs, commemorate the fifth anniversary of "#OperationSwiftRetort."

February 27, 2019, marked a significant event in our history, demonstrating the resolve of the people of Pakistan and the professionalism of the Armed Forces in response to unwarranted aggression from #India, motivated by political considerations and electoral concerns.

Despite desperate #Indian attempts to favourably shape the information space, the events of that fateful day showcased absolute operational ascendance of Pakistan’s Armed Forces over the Indian side.

The steadfastness and competence of Pakistan's Armed Forces were acknowledged by military experts and analysts throughout the world, effectively debunking frivolous Indian claims which could not stand to factual scrutiny.

The strategic foresight to return the downed pilot in interest of peace, from a position of strength and after having dominated the opposing force decisively, is unanimously hailed, to this day, by the international community as a remarkable gesture of political maturity and superior statecraft.

As a state committed to peace, we shall continue to emphasize the importance of peaceful coexistence with our neighbours. Any aggression against the people of Pakistan, our sovereignty and territorial integrity, will however be responded immediately, with full might and without any hesitation. Every single time.
INSHALLAH.

Pakistan Armed Forces Zindabad,
Pakistan Paindabad

 

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There is real power in seeing yourself as a hero. Because then you believe that you can do anything.

 

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Reconstructing Narratives: A Critical Analysis of the Operation Swift Retort​

Abdul Qadir
FEBRUARY 27, 2024

On February 14, 2019, a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was targeted in Pulwama, Occupied Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of nearly 40 reserves. The aftermath of the attack witnessed a rapid escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan. Accusations were levelled, threats hurled, and that finally culminated in an airstrike in Balakot, across the border in Pakistan.

The Indian officials attributed the attack to a terrorist group allegedly operating across the LoC; and openly accused Pakistan of the attack, thereby undermining the tenuous order in the region. Satya Pal Malik, ex-governor of Kashmir claimed in his interview that the targeted attack on the convoy was the failure of the Indian government to comply with the demand to provide aircrafts for the safe transportation of the CRPF personnel. He further asserted that Modi asked him to keep quiet about the matter as it would harm his government.

Pakistan called for a thorough investigation and expressed its willingness to collaborate in the investigation of the matter aiming to de-escalate tensions while emphasizing the importance of evidence in attributing blame on a country that itself has suffered gravely from terrorism.

The growing perception of India’s falsehoods in statecraft complicates diplomatic relations, emphasizing the need for transparent dialogue to avoid shame and humiliation on the global stage.

India, nonetheless, preferred a military response rather than engaging in diplomatic channels to defuse tensions. The Indian Air Force conducted an aerial strike, claiming to have targeted a terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan. Interestingly, for a state that spends billions of dollars annually on its armed forces, the corporate-run media took the bait of setting the narrative including claiming the 300+ dead in the Balakot incident.

The controversial claim of neutralizing over 300 terrorists drew sharp criticism from different quarters in India, especially the opposition. A close confidant of Rahul Gandhi and overseas chairman of Congress, Sam Pitroda, alleged the government to have failed in coming forth with concrete facts as the global media had denied the claims made by the Indian government and state media.

RPN Singh, now a BJP member, was shocked at the IAF claim about the number of casualties in the attack. However, the Indian government attacked him instead of providing evidence to substantiate their claim.

Another Congress stalwart and a former CM, Digvijaya Singh cast doubts on the veracity of the government’s claim. He was, instead, subjected to harsh criticism from the government ministers. The failure of IAF to deliver payloads on the supposed target despite the hype surrounding the mission, underscored a grotesque discrepancy between India’s military posturing and practical capabilities, ultimately revealing its limitations. Furthermore, the lack of transparency in sharing evidence added salt to the injury resulting in global embarrassment that gravely damaged India’s reputation.

The retaliatory air strikes, known as Operation Swift Retort, conducted by the Armed Forces of Pakistan, specifically targeted strategically significant Indian military installations. During this operation, the Pakistan Army successfully intercepted and brought down two Indian jets, resulting in the subsequent capture of Wing Commander Abhinandan. India, despite categorizing Pakistan’s actions as an ‘act of war,’ unexpectedly faced a state of operational paralysis. On the same day when the Indian Air Force was on high alert, the world witnessed a tragic incident of friendly fire when India’s own MI-17 helicopter was struck by a surface-to-air missile.

India, in utter desperation, hinted at the possible use of a nuclear weapon, shedding the long-held no-first-use approach. While the Air Force Chief was clueless about what his next step would be, his press conference was nothing more than a drama; holding a piece of AMRAAM, accusing Pakistan of using F16s in the dogfight.

On the contrary, some Indian intellectuals have attempted to reshape the narrative around the event of Operation Swift Retort, by trying to portray the defeat in broad daylight as a victory, which is gross and a self-defeating exercise. For one, the recently published book, Anger Management: The Troubled Diplomatic Relationship between India and Pakistan, by Ajay Bisaria a former Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, has been criticized for untrue claims and a misleading narrative that portrays the Balakot airstrike as an Indian diplomatic success.

It was seen as an attempt to reshape history in favour of the Modi government before the 2019 general elections to perpetuate Hindutva-inspired policies. The book is widely condemned for its pervasive intellectual dishonesty. As expected, the book fuels international debates on India’s actions in occupied Kashmir. The growing perception of India’s falsehoods in statecraft complicates diplomatic relations, emphasizing the need for transparent dialogue to avoid shame and humiliation on the global stage.

The facts of the ruins of a destroyed aircraft, calling the captured pilot a war hero, and the loss of servicemen to friendly fire cannot be stressed as a victory. In the face of persistently peddled fictitious stories, it is essential to acknowledge historical truths. The attempt to rewrite history may suit the interests of certain politicians but the penetrating truth remains vivid, ready to be served whenever the need arises.

The writer is an independent researcher and can be reached at abdulniner09@gmail.com

Reconstructing Narratives: A Critical Analysis of the Operation Swift Retort - Daily Times

On February 14, 2019, a convoy of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel was targeted in Pulwama, Occupied Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of nearly 40 reserves. The aftermath of the attack witnessed a rapid escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan. Accusations were levelled...

dailytimes.com.pk

 

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[4MikeEcho]

And who can forget the famous Sherdil movie that was released 4 weeks after Sher Dil (2019) 5.5 | Action, Drama, Romance


I mean imagine the timing of release of the movie as if it was put together after the incident. It was prophetic in nature. It would have been the biggest flop had it played out the other way.

Good job to the PAF! Then and always.

 

[4MikeEcho]

I think the ultimate in Indian non-logic was IAF making excuses that Pakistan used F-16s. What is that supposed to mean? Pakistan has had F-16s since 1981. Was there an international treaty that Pakistan side (the Viper equivalent of NPT) that Pakistan will not use F-16s as a first strike weapon.

And then the great Master Modi also claimed that results would have been different had Indians had Rafales. Indian Govt is a victim of its own incompetence and impotence. It waited a decade to choose the Rafale. There was no embargo against Indians buying Rafales that Modi was complaining to his western bosses.

I am not sure it takes a Rafale to blow a hole in the forest. In Indian view, Pakistan should have not used the F-16s and then Pakistan should have not gone up with JF-17 because Indians did not yet have rafales. With a mindset like this is no wonder that India was occupied for a thousand years.

Now things are different that India does have Rafale so I am sure PAF is now gaming that scenario (at least I hope unless all the smart people have been court martialed out for speaking their mind). Extra closeness with Qatar I hope.

And what happened to all the Indians that were on this forum? It was always good to get the Indian perspective but I feel they didn't follow to this forum and may have been lost to us.