The US is trying to obtain information from Pakistan on the “misuse” of American-made F-16 fighter jets by it against India in contravention of the norms, the State Department added in a statement.
The Indian Air Force on Thursday provided undeniable evidence of some debris of an AMRAAM missile as evidence to prove that Pakistan deployed US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets during dogfight targeting Indian military installations in Kashmir following India’s anti-terror operation in Balakot.
However, Pakistan on Wednesday echoed that F-16 fighter jets were not used in the operation. He also denied that F-16 jet was not shot down by the Indian Air Force Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.
“We are aware of these reports and are seeking more information,” a State Department spokesperson informed PTI when asked about a potential report that Pakistan has breached end-user agreement with the US in this week’s border clash with India.
“Due to non-disclosure agreements in Foreign Military Sale contracts, we cannot discuss the specifics of end user-agreements contained within,” Lt Col Kone Faulkner, a Defense Department spokesperson told PTI.
Following the anti-terror strikes executed by the Indian Air Force, the US had previously warned Pakistan against taking up the matter through military action and strongly warned to act against country-backed terror.
America has strict protocols in case of using its weapons and aircraft. Pakistan cannot use the US-made F-16s in an offensive operation, but it can use them to “defend itself” from any kind of danger. It will be quite interesting to see what the US does when it agrees to give aircraft to another country.
However, publicly available documents disclose that the US imposed nearly a dozen restriction on Pakistan for using F-16 fighter jets.
