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Indian Air Force repulses Pakistani jets, shoots down F16; says all IAF jets and pilots safe

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Indian Air Force repulses Pakistani jets, shoots down F16; says all IAF jets and pilots safe

Indian Air Force today (Wednesday, Feb 27) repulsed Pakistani attempt at a retaliatory strike and shot down its F16 when three of its jets reportedly intruded into Indian air space in the Nowshera sector at around 10.30 am.

The pilot of the F-16 that was shot down ejected in Pakistani territory. The Pakistani aircraft were intercepted by Indian Air Force jets on combat patrol as a precaution against just such a venture by Pakistan to hit back after India’s strike at Jaish-e-Mohammad camp at Balakot in Pakistan yesterday.

India has also denied Pakistani claims of shooting down Indian jets and capturing one of the pilots, saying “all our pilots are accounted for”.

Also Read: IAF chopper crashes in J&K’s Budgam, two pilots dead

“In response to PAF strikes this morning as released by MoFA, IAF crossed LOC,” Pakistan’s Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations, Major-General Asif Ghafoor, tweeted.

“PAF shot down two Indian aircrafts inside Pakistani airspace. One of the aircraft fell inside AJ&K while other fell inside IOK. One Indian pilot arrested by troops on ground while two in the area.”

‘AJ&K’ means ‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir’, Pakistani name for Pak-Occupied Kashmir, while IOK – India Ocuupied Kashmir – is how it refers to Jammu and Kashmir.

MoFA, the Pakistani ministry of foreign affairs, issued a statement earlier on Wednesday saying Pakistan Air Force jets had hit targets across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir while flying within Pakistani airspace.

“Today, Pakistan Air Force undertook strikes across Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace,” the statement said.

Also Read: Indian Air Force repulses Pakistani jets, shoots down F16; says all IAF jets and pilots safe

In a press release titled “Pakistani Strikes Back”, Pakistan said, “This was not a retaliation to continued Indian belligerence. Pakistan has therefore, taken strikes at non military target, avoiding human loss and collateral damage. Sole purpose being to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We have no intention of escalation, but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm. That is why we undertook the action with clear warning and in broad daylight.”

The Pakistani statement said: “For the last few years, India has been trying to establish what they call ‘a new normal’ a thinly veiled term for doing acts of aggression at whatever pretext they wish on a given day. If India is striking at so called terrorist backers without a shred of evidence, we also retain reciprocal rights to retaliate against elements that enjoy Indian patronage while carrying out acts of terror in Pakistan. We do not wish to go to that route and wish that India gives peace a chance and to resolve issues like a mature democratic nation.”

India has called its air strike “non-military and pre-emptive”, aimed at preventing more attacks like Pulwama, based on credible inputs that Jaish was training more suicide bombers.

Also Read: Imran Khan warns against escalation, invites PM Modi for talks; India, China, Russia condemn terrorism

Tension has been high between the two countries since JeM terrorists attacked a paramilitary convoy in Kashmir’s Pulwama on 14 February, killing 40 personnel. Responding this attack, the bloodiest in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three decades of militancy, India carried out air strikes deep inside Pakistan, deploying the IAF for the first time since the 1971 war to strike a Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camp in Balakot.

Airspace shut down in Kashmir

All airspace at Jammu, Srinagar and Leh, close to the border with Pakistan, has been shut down indefinitely, sources say. Airspace over Amritsar and Chandigarh may also be closed down, according to reports. Commercial flights to those cities have been put on hold or diverted.

The area has been on high alert amid warnings of retaliation after India’s strike yesterday. Pakistani troops have been targeting civilian hamlets and forward posts along the LoC since Tuesday evening. Defence Ministry Spokesperson Lt Colonel Devender Anand said retaliatory action has resulted in “severe destruction of five Pakistani posts and a number of casualties to Pak Army.”

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was reported to be meeting with the Defence and Foreign Secretaries besides intelligence officials, to discuss the situation.

Also Read: India loses a Mig, pilot missing in action; Pakistan says he in their custody

Amid the biggest escalation between the two countries in decades, several countries have urged restraint.

This morning, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj said during a trilateral meeting in China that India wants to avoid any “further escalation of the situation”.

“The limited objective of that pre-emptive strike was to act decisively against the terrorist infrastructure of Jaish-e-Mohammad in order to pre-empt another terror attack in India,” Sushma Swaraj said in Wuzhen.

“India does not wish to see further escalation of this situation. India will continue to act with responsibility and restraint.”

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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