Pakistan Pilot Claims Denied, India Urges Caution
The denial of claims regarding the capture of an Indian pilot by Pakistan comes amidst ongoing tensions between the two countries, with both sides emphasizing the need for peace and restraint. The situation remains complex, with the Kashmir dispute at its core, and both countries are working to manage tensions and avoid escalation.
The Indian government has denied claims that a female Indian Air Force pilot, Squadron Leader Shivani Singh, has been captured by Pakistan, labeling the reports as fake and urging the public not to spread misinformation. The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check unit confirmed the reports as false, and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued an advisory on the spread of misinformation.
The claims, which were shared by several pro-Pakistan handles and pages on social media, alleged that an Indian female pilot named Shivangi Singh was arrested in Pakistan. However, Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations Director General (ISPR DG) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has also denied these claims, stating that there is no Indian pilot in Pakistan's custody. The DG ISPR emphasized that those who seek war do so for personal interests, while peace is in the best interest of both countries.
The DG ISPR highlighted that the Kashmir dispute can only be resolved according to the UN Charter and the will of the Kashmiri people, and that India's unilateral constitutional changes and ongoing oppression in Kashmir do not alter the fact that it is a global issue. He also stated that Pakistan has not violated the Line of Control (LoC) and will respond to aggression, and that Indian attacks caused minor damage to infrastructure and aircraft.
The Indian government and Pakistan's military spokesperson have both urged caution and restraint, emphasizing the importance of relying on official sources and avoiding the spread of misinformation. The tensions between the two countries were managed through professional conduct, and both Pakistan and Indian forces are professional militaries that exercised restraint to control escalation.