Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan Saturday said Pakistan’s desire for peace should not be considered as weakness and any misadventure will be responded immediately, reported 24News HD TV Channel.

“We want to live in peace but if our sovereignty is challenged, our response would always be Swift and Resolute as it was on 27 February 2019,” he said

The air chief was addressing a special ceremony organised at the Air Headquarters (AHQ), Islamabad in connection with the second anniversary of the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) Operation Swift Retort.

Mujahid Anwar Khan said: “Pakistan’s armed forces brilliantly defended the motherland under the operation. I salute the PAF pilots for their professional skills. Pakistan is a peaceful country and the world witnessed it when the captured Indian pilot was released. The armed forces are always ready to defend the country and are aware of their responsibilities.”

The Air Chief further said PAF maintained its Operational Readiness to deter aggression, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

“Pakistan is confronted with varied challenges including a Hybrid War, which demands our enhanced commitment and vigilance. The PAF endeavours to augment its capability in all spectrums of operations while pursuing modernization through indigenous efforts.”

It is pertinent here to mention that the nation has celebrated Surprise Day to pay tribute to the PAF for downing two Indian fighter jets – one of them piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardaman – on 27th February 2019.

The PAF carried out Operation Swift Retort and dropped bombs within the compounds of Indian military facilities in the occupied Kashmir as a warning to the country’s belligerent neighbour.

The Pakistani military had lived up to its promise to ‘surprise’ India in wake of any misadventure, saying that ‘uncalled-for aggression’ from the Indian military 'would not go unpunished.'

The operation also resulted in the capture of an Indian pilot, Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, after his Mig-21 was shot down. The pilot was later handed over to Indian authorities as ‘a goodwill gesture’.

Former Air Chiefs and a large number of PAF officials witnessed the ceremony. Earlier, a smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour. Another important event of the ceremony was a spectacular flypast by two formations of PAF fighter aircraft including F-16, JF-17, F-7 and Mirage. The ceremony was rounded off with a soulful performance by the young students of Fazaia School and College.