US lawmakers: Pakistan may use F-16 fighter jets against India

The top US lawmakers have expressed concerns over the Obama Administration’s decision to sell eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, saying the aircraft’s could be used against India and not in combating terrorism.

They have also urged the Obama Administration to review its decision in this regard. ,” Congressman Matt Salmon said during a Congressional hearing yesterday, “Many members of Congress, including me, seriously question the judgement and timing of such a sale. Additionally, Indo-Pak tensions remain elevated and some question whether the F-16s could ultimately be used against India or other regional powers, rather than the terrorists as Pakistan as asserted”. The subcommittee chairperson, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen too expressed concerns over sale of F-16 to Pakistan. “I think that we need to leverage our military sales to Pakistan in order to get some more cooperation within the region,” she said.

By – Ankit Tripathi