Explanation

Pakistan Air Force celebrates Operation Swift Retort as Surprise on 27 February since 2020.

After 14 February 2019, when suicide bomber attacked CRPF convoy in Pulwama, killing 40 CRPF soldiers, tensions between India and Pakistan escalated.

Later on February 26, 2019 Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out counter-terror operation (Balakot Air Strike), hitting in Balakot.

It was on February 27, 2019, when PAF exhibited supreme professionalism by shooting down two Indian Air Force jets, a MiG-21 Bison and a SU-30. The downed MiG-21 pilot, wing commander Abhinandan, whose aircraft had crashed inside Pakistan’s territory was captured.

Abhinandan was later released and handed over to India on March 1, 2019.