'Aiming for peace, mindful about defence': PM to India on 'Surprise Day'

Shehbaz pays tribute to PAF for a befitting response to the Indian violation of Pakistan’s air space

As the nation celebrated the "Surprise Day", Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan was committed to ensuring peace with all countries, however, was mindful of securing its frontiers.

On February 27, 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 by Pakistan but was later released as a gesture of peace.

The airstrikes were part of the PAF military operation codenamed Operation Swift Retort and were conducted in retaliation.

“While we aim for peace with all, we are mindful of our duty to defend the country,” PM Shehbaz said in a tweet.

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.

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 27, 2023

The prime minister said, “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.”

He stressed that Pakistan was "mindful" of its defence and said, “Let no one make any mistake about it.”

Read more: Operation Swift Retort: Military pays tribute to nation's 'resilience' on 4th anniversary

Meanwhile, Foreign Office Spokesperson said that the incidents of 26-27 February 2019 bore witness to India’s belligerence and jingoism and the tremendous restraint and responsibility demonstrated by Pakistan.

"The captured Indian pilot was returned as a gesture of peace," the spokesperson said in a statement. "India must remain mindful of the consequences of its reckless conduct and realise that the Pakistani nation remains ready to fully safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” it was added.

At the same time, the spokesperson said, Pakistan was committed to peaceful co-existence and resolution of long-standing disputes.

“We also underscore that durable peace in South Asia remains contingent upon peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people,” it was further added.