Pakistan Shoots Down IAF MiG-21 — Wing Commander Abhinandan Captured

The day after the Balakot strike, Pakistan Air Force jets entered Indian airspace; India scrambled fighters including a MiG-21 Bison piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman. PAF claims he was shot down in aerial combat (Pakistan also lost an F-16, disputed by Islamabad). Abhinandan ejected over Pakistani territory and was captured by local villagers. The incident brought both nuclear powers to the brink of broader war.