India proves Pak used US-made F-16s to target its bases: Why it matters

Concerns that Pakistan would use these aircraft against India have been raised in the US in the past, and have held up the sale of such platforms to Islamabad.

Pakistan in all probability has breached US terms and conditions on how it can use the America-made F-16 combat aircraft by deploying them in an operation that targeted Indian military installations near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

At a joint news conference by the three defence services on Thursday, the Indian Air Force (IAF) displayed parts of an American-made beyond visual range missile, called the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, as evidence to "conclusively" prove that Pakistan used F-16 fighter jets during an operation targeting Indian military installations in Kashmir. "There is enough evidence to show that F-16s were used in this mission and Pakistan is trying to hide this fact. Also, parts of AMRAAM air-to-air missile which is carried only on the F-16s in Pakistan Air Force were recovered East of Rajouri within the Indian territory," said Air Vice Marshal R G K Kapoor, assistant chief of Air Staff.

The missile in question can only be used by one aircraft in Pakistan's arsenal, the F-16. The IAF also identified the F-16s through their electronic signature.

Why is the evidence important?

On Wednesday, Pakistan had categorically denied using F-16 fighter jets against India and said that none of its aircraft had been shot down by the IAF.

Rahul Bedi, a New Delhi-based analyst with Janes Information Services, told Bloomberg that the US sale of F-16 aircraft to Pakistan decrees that they are to be used only for counter-terrorism operations and that they can't be deployed against any other country.

Concerns that Pakistan would use these aircraft against India have been raised in the US in the past, and have held up the sale of such platforms to Islamabad.

In April 2016, US lawmakers had reportedly expressed concerns over the then Obama Administration's decision to sell eight F-16 aircraft to Pakistan. Their concern was that the aircraft could be used against India instead of being deployed to combat terrorism. They had also urged the administration to review its decision regarding the sale.

Business Standard