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U.S. wants to know if Pakistan used U.S.-built F-16 jets to down Indian warplane

The United States is "seeking information" on whether Pakistan used U.S.-built F-16 jets to down an Indian warplane, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said on Sunday, which may violate the F-16 sale agreements between Washington and Pakistan.

Misuse of jet would be in violation of sales agreement between U.S. and Pakistan

Indian Air Force officials show a section of an exploded AMRAAM missile, said to be fired by a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) F-16, during a joint news conference of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Army and Navy in New Delhi on Feb. 28, 2019. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

The United States is "seeking information" on whether Pakistan used U.S.-built F-16 jets to down an Indian warplane, the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad said on Sunday, which may violate the F-16 sale agreements between Washington and Pakistan.

Pakistan says it did not use F-16s in shooting down an Indian warplane when it crossed the Line of Control that acts as a de facto border in Kashmir. Islamabad says this was an act of self defence.

"We are aware of these reports and are seeking more information," a U.S. Embassy spokesperson told Reuters. "We take all allegations of misuse of defence articles very seriously."

U.S. often inserts restrictions on how its exported military hardware can be used through so-called end-user agreements.