India calls on US to probe Pakistan's use of F-16 jets

India has called on the United States to investigate Pakistan's alleged use of American-made F-16 jets during an aerial engagement last month that brought the two nuclear armed neighbors to the brink of conflict.

"We have asked the United States to also examine whether the use of F-16 against India is in accordance with the terms and conditions of sale," Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar told journalists at a media briefing yesterday.

The Indian Air Force last Tuesday said Pakistan used F-16 fighter jets in the raid that brought down an Indian MIG 21 jet, in a possible violation of the terms of use by the US. Indian officials said they recovered parts of an AMRAAM air-to-air missile that can only be used on those specific jets. Pakistan has stated that no F-16s were used in the operation.

As part of the purchasing agreement, the US puts certain restrictions on how its military equipment can be used. It is unclear what restrictions were placed on the use of Pakistan's F-16 jets.

Raveesh Kumar also responded with scepticism to reports of scores of militants being rounded up in Pakistan this week. He said Indian army is on a "strict vigil" for new attacks from Pakistan.

Pakistan said it has clamped down on the Jaish-e-Mohammed group that claimed a suicide bombing in Kashmir last month that set off the showdown. Forty Indian paramilitaries were killed in the February 14 attack. Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said no militant group would be allowed to operate from Pakistani soil to carry out attacks abroad.