08:20 ‘Very closely’ following reports of F-16 misuse by Pak, says US:
The United States is “very closely” following the reports which have claimed that Pakistan misused American-made F-16 fighter jets against India in the recent aerial confrontation between the air forces of the two countries, a top State Department official has said.
The Indian Air Force on Thursday displayed parts of an AMRAAM beyond visual range air-to-air missile as evidence to “conclusively” prove that Pakistan deployed US-manufactured F-16 fighter jets during an aerial raid targeting Indian military installations in Kashmir after India’s anti-terror operation in Balakot.
Pakistan has said that no F-16 fighter jets were used.
The US State Department has said that America is seeking more information from Pakistan on the potential misuse of American-made F-16 fighter jets by it against India in violation of the end-user agreement.
“We’ve seen those reports and we’re following that issue very closely,” US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Robert Palladino told reporters at his biweekly news conference on Tuesday.
He was responding to questions that Pakistan has violated the end-user agreement on F-16 that it procured from the United States.
“I can’t confirm anything, but as a matter of policy, we don’t publicly comment on the contents of bilateral agreements that we have in this regard involving US defence technologies nor the communications that we have with other countries about that.
“So, we’re taking a look and we’re going to continue to take a look. I’m going to leave it at that,” Palladino said.
AMRAAM missiles allow a fighter pilot to target an enemy aircraft that is beyond visual range, in day or night, and in all-weather conditions. They have an autonomous guidance capability, which allows the pilot to manoeuvre immediately after the missile’s launch. — PTI
Image: Indian Air Force officials display a wreckage of AMRAAM air-to-air missile that they say was fired by a Pakistan air force F-16 fighter jet during a strike over Kashmir on Wednesday. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters
00:09 Congress has ‘secret understanding’ with BJP: Kejriwal:
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday claimed there are ‘rumours’ that the Congress has a ‘secret understanding’ with the Bharatiya Janata Party and asserted that his Aam Aadmi Party is ready to fight the ‘unholy alliance’.
Kejriwal’s comments came in response to the Congress’ announcement that it will not form an alliance with the AAP in Delhi for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.
‘At a time when the whole country wants to defeat Modi-Shah duo, Cong is helping BJP by splitting anti-BJP vote. Rumours r that Cong has some secret understanding wid BJP (sic),’ he tweeted.
‘Delhi is ready to fight against Cong-BJP alliance. People will defeat this unholy alliance,’ Kejriwal added.
The AAP alleged that the Congress is ‘helping’ the BJP in winning elections.
“They just want to help the BJP win elections and the AAP to be defeated. It seems that central leadership is under pressure to help the BJP in the country. They just want to win polls by putting the Army in the front,” senior party leader Gopal Rai told reporters.
Asked why the AAP wanted an alliance with the Congress, Rai said, “All leaders of grand alliance wanted that the votes of opposition parties are not divided.
“We are in-principal against the Congress over several issues…but we wanted to drink this poison (alliance with Congress) for the country,” he said.
He said the Congress is fielding its candidates where opposition parties are in a strong position, be it in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Rai announced that the AAP will contest the Lok Sabha elections on issue of full statehood and exuded confidence that the party will win all the seven seats.
Following a meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Delhi Congress chief Sheila Dikshit on Tuesday announced that they will not form an alliance with the AAP in the national capital for the upcoming general elections.
He said it seems there is ‘undeclared alliance’ between the BJP and the Congress.
“The Congress was of late playing hide and seek. After today’s meeting between Sheila and Rahul Gandhi, it is clear that the Congress’ stand goes against the country’s mood.
“Not only in Delhi, the Congress is going against the country’s mood in other states as well,” Rai said.
The country wanted parties to put their individual ambitions in the back seat and fight together, the AAP leader also said.
“For the Congress, party comes before the country.” Rai added. — PTI
Source: Rediff