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The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday reiterated its claim that a Pakistani F-16 jet was shot down during aerial combat on February 27 near Nowshera area. IAF showed circumstantial evidence to media persons to support its theory, hours after a US publication claimed all F-16s were accounted for in Pakistan's inventory. Dismissing the report, IAF underscored Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman scripted history.

The release of an Indian pilot by Pakistan would be a "very much welcomed step", spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres said yesterday, stressing that the message to India and Pakistan from the world body and the international community is to de-escalate tensions. Captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman will be released today by Pakistan "as a gesture of peace."

A day after Foreign Policy published a report claiming the US counted F-16s given to Pakistan and none of them were found missing, the Pentagon said it wasn't aware of any such investigation. The report contradicted India's claims of shooting down an F-16 in a dogfight on February 27.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman's return to India was delayed due to the heavily edited video, which Pakistan released just an hour before he crossed over the border, claimed reports.