RAWALPINDI: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Thursday addressed a press conference and briefed an Indian “high speed flying object” was found in Mian Channu.
He said the Pakistan Air Force shot down an Indian projectile that entered Pakistani airspace and violated international conventions. He said that the projectile travelled 124kms inside Pakistan from India.
“On March 9, at 6:43 PM, a high speed flying object was picked up from inside the Indian territory,” he started his presser. “From initial course, it deviated and entered Pakistan territory and fell in Pakistani territory, causing some damage to civilian installations but no loss of life was reported.”
He said Pakistan Air Force initiated tactical operations. “Pakistan Air Force continuously monitored that complete flying path of the object, from its point of origin to its point of impact,” he said.
“We detected the object on time and took necessary action as per the standard operating procedures (SOPs),” he said, adding that no casualties took place because of the incident. “Some material damage was caused to a building because of the object and a crater was formed,” he said.
He said that Pakistan strongly condemned the Indian violation of its airspace. “The flight path endangered civilians in both Pakistan and India. India must explain what caused this; it reflects poorly on Indian aviation,” he said, adding that this could have resulted in a major aviation disaster.
The military’s press wing confirmed that there was “no sensitive installation in the area where the object was shot down.” When asked to provide more details about the object, he said “we are not claiming anything right now and will wait for India to respond. We have given details of whatever we know right now. It is for the India to explain what happened in Mian Channu.”
Army has nothing to do with politics
Speaking about the rising terrorism incidents in the country, the DG ISPR said that the country’s armed forces are taking prompt actions to thwart the nefarious designs of the enemy. He said security forces have killed 80 terrorists during the past few weeks.
In reply to a question, DG ISPR said the army has nothing to do with politics. The military’s spokesperson was also asked whether the army was standing with the prime minister in relation to the current political situation.
“I had clearly stated in my last press conference that the army has nothing do with politics,” he replied. “It is this way and it will remain this way.” He also requested that there “be no unnecessary speculations about this now”.
