Tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad culminated on 27 February, when the two sides’ warplanes engaged in an air battle over Kashmir just a day after India’s airstrike on an alleged jihadist camp on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control. The dogfight led to the downing of an Indian Air Force MiG-21 and a Pakistani F-16.
During bilateral sparring in February, India and Pakistan threatened to launch missiles at each other and only US officials’ interference helped defuse a bigger conflict, Reutersreports, citing unnamed sources.
“They have been going at it and we have been involved in trying to have them stop. Hopefully that is going to be coming to an end”, he said.He expressed hope that tensions could be de-escalated and that both countries would show restraint.