Even as Pakistan has so far denied that its F-16 was shot down on February 27 by India, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Indian forces know the identity of the Pakistani pilot. His F-16 was hit by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman’s Mig-21 Bison on that day.

The Pakistani pilot was killed after he was reportedly beaten up by locals when he ejected and landed in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) in a case of mistaken identity. The pilot reportedly later died in the hospital. However, Pakistan continues to deny the twin loss of F-16 or its pilot.

Making this assertion during a security conclave hosted by a private television channel on Tuesday, Sitharaman had said the Indian military

knows the identity of the Pakistani pilot but refrained from giving details.

She said Pakistan will not admit to the twin losses of its F-16 het and the pilot just like it never admitted the “sacrifices” of its regular soldiers during the 1999 Kargil war. She also questioned as to why Pakistan did not allow media access the terrorist training camps targeted by the IAF in Balakot on February 26. She raised this query as claims across the border were raised by the strikes and only a few trees were hit.

Fielding queries about Abhinandan’s well being, who was released two days after he was captured by Pakistan when he ejected and landed in POK on February 27, she said the pilot’s josh was high when she met at the hospital here.

She lauded the bravery of the IAF pilot and said he was tortured.

He reportedly underwent acute mental harassment in the Pakistan Army’s custody. Sitharaman said the IAF pilot showed “admirable courage and patience.”

She also said Abhinandan is not negative for going through the mental torture.

When what Abhinandan felt asked about the dogfight between India and Pakistan, Sitharaman said he was cool-headed and maintains that he was just doing his duty.  He bore no malice against Pakistan.