Pakistan F-16 pilots fired 4-5 AMRAAMs at Indian jets from 40-50 km on Feb 27: Report

Pakistan had fired four to five AMRAAM missiles from a distance of 40-50 km using F-16 fighter jets during its unsuccessful aerial raid targeting Indian military installations on February 27, a report has claimed on Wednesday.

Indian Air Force officials show sections of an exploded Amraam missile, said to be fired by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16s, at an IAF, Army and Navy joint press conference at South Block in New Delhi. Photo: PTI (File)

NEW DELHI: Pakistan had fired four to five AMRAAM missiles from a distance of 40-50 km using F-16 fighter jets during its unsuccessful aerial raid targeting Indian military installations on February 27, a report has claimed on Wednesday. Indian troops on the ground are carrying out an extensive search of probable areas where the debris of the AMRAAMs could have fallen, ANI quoted its sources as saying. As part of the purchasing agreement, the US had reportedly barred Pakistan from using the F-16s against any third country and it was only allowed to operate the fighter in self defence and for anti-terror missions. “The F-16s fired four to five AMRAAM missiles from a beyond visual range distance of around 40-50 km at Indian planes including the Sukhoi in the engagement on February 27 but they all missed the target, they said. “Once we get more parts of the AMRAAM missiles which failed to hit targets and have fallen on our side, the Pakistanis would be further exposed," they added. The Indian Air Force on February 28 displayed parts of an AMRAAM missile as evidence to "conclusively" prove that Pakistan deployed US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets during an aerial raid targeting Indian military installations in Kashmir. It said Pakistan does not have any other fighters capable of firing an AMRAAM missile. Pakistan has categorically said that no F-16 fighter jets were used in the aerial combat against India. The US State Department has said that America is seeking more information from Pakistan on the potential misuse of American-made F-16 fighter jets by it against India in violation of the end-user agreement. After the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. AMRAAM missiles allow a fighter pilot to target an enemy aircraft that is beyond visual range, in day or night, and in all-weather conditions. They have an autonomous guidance capability, which allows the pilot to manoeuvre immediately after the missile's launch. (With inputs from PTI)