India claims conclusive evidence of use of F-16s in Pak raid

New Delhi, Feb 28 (IANS) India has conclusive evidence that Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) F-16s were involved in the aerial engagement on the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday as parts of AIM 120 AM-RAAM missile were found on the Indian side.It is a beyond visual range missile carried by F-16s. A PAF F-16 was shot down by IAF combat air patrol but Pakistan is yet to acknowledge the loss even though visuals of wreckage of the aircraft appeared on Thursday. A large number of PAF fighters had approached the LoC and were challenged by the IAF. F-16, PAF's most advanced jet, was challenged and shot down by IAF's vintage MiG-21 Bison. Wing commander Abhinandan Varthaman had engaged the aircraft and fired the R-73 missile getting better in the dog fight.
--IANS gd/pg/pcj