The Indian Air Force (IAF) scrambled fighter jets on Monday morning after four Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets and a UAV were spotted flying close to the Punjab border.
Around 3 am, the IAF Su-30 MKIs and Mirage-2000s went airborne after the flying activities were detected across the border in the Khemkaran sector, forcing the PAF aircraft to retreat.
Informed sources said the PAF aircraft included four F-16s and an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after the February 14 attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pulwama that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.
Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26.
The next day, Pakistan Air Force retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured an Indian pilot, who was handed over to India later.