Indian military aircraft violated the Line of Control (LoC) as they “intruded” from the Muzafarabad sector and were forced to return owing to the timely response of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said early Tuesday.
“Indian aircraft intrusion across LoC in Muzafarabad Sector within AJK was 3-4 miles. Under forced hasty withdrawal aircraft released payload which had free fall in open area. No infrastructure got hit, no casualties. Technical details and other important information to follow,” director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, Major General Ghafoor had said, the Indian aircraft “released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot”.
Maj Gen Ghafoor tweeted images of the “payload of hastily escaping Indian aircraft” which “fell in [the] open”.
In his first tweet, DG ISPR had said, “Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircraft gone back. Details to follow.”
The incursion into the Pakistan air space follows a series of threats by Indian political and military leadership following the attack on an Indian Army convoy at Pulwama by a local youth, in reaction to the oppression unleashed by the occupational forces.
Pakistan rejects Indian claim of targeting alleged terrorist camp near Balakot
A meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan rejected Indian claims of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot.
The meeting, chaired by the premier in the wake of India’s violation of the LoC, was attended by the top civil and military leadership, including Army Chief General Qamar Jawed Bajwa and ministers of defence and foreign affairs.
A handout released after the NSC meeting stated the forum strongly rejected Indian claims of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties. Once again Indian government has resorted to a self-serving, reckless and fictitious claim, the handout added.
This action has been done for domestic consumption given the election environment, putting regional peace and stability at grave risk, the NSC said.
The claimed area of strike is open for the world to see the facts on ground. Domestic and international media is being taken to the impact site, it added.
The forum concluded that India has committed uncalled for aggression to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing.
To take the nation on board, the govt has decided to requisition joint session of the Parliament, the handout released after the NSC meeting further stated.
PM Imran has summoned a special meeting of National Command Authority (NCA) on February 27. PM has directed that elements of national power, including the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan, to remain prepared for all eventualities.
The premier has decided to engage with global leadership to expose irresponsible Indian policy in the region, the handout further read.
PM further appreciated the timely and effective response of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to repulse Indian attempt without any loss of life or property.
Joint parliamentary session summoned
Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Muhammad Khan announced a joint parliamentary session has been summoned on the opposition’s demand.
“A joint parliamentary session will take place,” the minister of state for parliamentary affairs said as he responded to the demand of the leaders of opposition parties on the floor of the National Assembly. “I will try that the session is summoned today even if it is at midnight.”
“I have just come from the national security committee meeting and I told the participants that the entire Parliament and nation are united,” he added.
As the National Assembly session resumed today, opposition leaders demanded that a joint parliamentary session be summoned.
“We are in a state of war. The Parliament should sit together and decide,” Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Khursheed Shah said. Stating that “India wishes to exploit our internal differences and attack us,” Shah said, “We have to show to India and the world that the entire nation is united.”
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former defence minister Khawaja Asif also took to the floor and seconded Shah’s demand for a joint parliamentary session.
The PML-N leader also called on all parties to “be united” and to show solidarity with the armed forces. “Our country, our sovereignty and our integrity are being threatened,” Asif said.
“It is not the time for political point-scoring and we should put aside our differences and unite the entire nation,” he added. “We are standing behind our armed forces like an iron wall.”
“The entire nation will have to firmly issue a united response to India,” the former defence minister asserted. “We should not hesitate to help Kashmiris.”
Criticising the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for inviting Indian foreign minister Sushma Swaraj as a “guest of honour” at the inaugural session of the foreign ministers’ conclave in Abu Dhabi next month, Asif said, “Pakistan should boycott the OIC meeting.”
“It is an insult that our enemy is being invited as a guest of honour when Kashmiris are facing bloodshed,” he stated.
Former NA speaker and PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq also called on the government to raise the issue of inviting Swaraj as “guest of honour” with OIC. “The organisation has no power to invite India without seeking the consent of member states,” Sadiq said.
