Indian Commercial Pilot Association extends full support to IAF and government in the fight against terrorism, says "consider it as the second line of defence after armed forces"

Indian Commercial Pilots Association has extended complete support and co-operation in all operations of Indian Air Force. The association also stated that they will provide support to the government and the PMO in the fight against terrorism. The statement from ICPA comes a day after Pakistani F-16 fighter jet that violated Indian air space on Wednesday morning was shot down by the Indian Air Force. The intruder aircraft was shot down as India retaliated to the incursion. Immediately after India brought down Pak's F-16, Pakistan begged India to not escalate the situation.

In the press statement, ICPA stated:

"ICPA being a patriotic and responsible union would like to extend complete support and co-operation in all operations as the situation demands. We will support the government and the PMO in this fight against terrorism".

Furthermore, the statement read:

"We, as Air Indians take pride and feel duty bound towards national interest and pledge our support to the Nation and as pilots we consider ourselves as the second line of defense after the armed forces to serve our country". 

Read the full statement here:

Read: Red Alert Across All Mumbai Metro Stations, Educational Institutes To Exercise Caution After Tensions Between India And Pakistan Escalate

In the aftermath of the Pulwama attack by Pak-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammed, ties between India and Pakistan have sharply deteriorated, escalating tension on the international border. On February 14, 2019, Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed explosives-laden vehicle into a bus ferrying CRPF jawans in Pulwama district in which 40 soldiers were martyred. India strongly retaliated to the cowardly attack by conducting an air strike in which terror camps of JeM in Pakistan were turned into dust and more than 245 on-foot soldiers and terrorists were killed in a matter of 17 minutes. 

All political parties of India, national as well as regional, came together in the fight against terror-friendly neighbour and even the citizens shouted slogans hailing the sacrifice of the forces. Moreover, India revoked the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status that was unilaterally accorded to Pakistan over 20 years ago. The government of India also resolved to isolate Pakistan on the global stage. US, Australia, France, and other world countries issued statements condemning Pakistan for breeding terrorists on their soil and asserted that the world's patience on terrorist safe havens is running thin.