Pakistan F-16 Shot Down by Indian Surface-to-Air Missile

In a significant escalation along the India-Pakistan border, an F-16 fighter jet of the Pakistan Air Force was shot down this evening by an Indian surface-to-air missile (SAM), defence sources told NDTV. The incident occurred near the Sargodha air base, one of Pakistan’s most critical military aviation facilities located in Punjab province.

The F-16 had reportedly taken off from the Sargodha base, which serves as a front-line air station and is considered among the most heavily fortified in Pakistan. The jet was intercepted and neutralised shortly after takeoff by India's advanced air defence systems, marking a notable moment of air combat between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

This is the first time since the 1971 war that tensions between India and Pakistan have reached such a widespread and volatile level. A precautionary blackout has been enforced in multiple border districts of Rajasthan due to heightened alertness and the possibility of retaliatory strikes.

The shootdown comes in the backdrop of a failed Pakistani offensive involving drones and missile strikes targeting vital Indian military installations and civilian areas. Indian defence sources confirmed that their air defence systems were fully activated and successfully intercepted several Pakistani UAVs.

Meanwhile, border districts in Jammu—RS Pura, Arnia, Samba, and Hiranagar—have come under intense shelling from Pakistani forces. In Punjab, Pathankot—a crucial military hub located just 30 km from the International Border—has also been targeted with heavy artillery fire.

The situation remains tense as the Indian Armed Forces stay on high alert across all border regions, ready to respond to any further aggression.