New Delhi/Islamabad, December 14
India today refuted Islamabad’s charge that Indian Air Force (IAF) jets flew into the Pakistani airspace, claiming the neighbouring country was indulging in propaganda after it had been established beyond doubt that elements in Pakistan were behind the Mumbai terror attack.
“There has not been any airspace violation as has been alleged,” an IAF spokesperson said here. He said a misinformation campaign was going on to divert attention
from the incidents in Mumbai on November 26.
Western Air Command officials, denying the Pakistani allegation, added that they had received no complaints from Pakistan on the matter
so far.
Media reports were rife in Pakistan early today saying IAF fighter jets had violated its airspace late last night and early today in Lahore and Pakistan-administered Kashmir sectors, and an emergency was declared at the Pakistan air force (PAF) airbases at Shorkot and Sargodha.
Pakistan information minister Sherry Rehman was quoted as saying when the matter was taken up with Indian authorities, they had described the air violations as “inadvertent”.
Meanwhile, critics in Pakistan said India had deliberately committed these violations to intimidate Pakistan and accused the Pakistan government of being too soft and apologetic. They said Zardari has embarked on an “appease” India policy under pressure from the US, UK and allies.
PAF had said IAF aircraft entered about four miles inside airspace over Lahore and 2-3 miles across the line of control (LoC) in Azad Kashmir. Pakistani jets chased the Indian aircraft back over the border, a PAF spokesman Humayun Viqar told reporters.
Pakistan President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in separate statements cautioned against media hype saying the incursions were by mistake and not deliberate. “The matter is blown out of proportion by the media,” Zardari said while answering questions at a joint news conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown here today.
Analysts said it was unusual that the such territorial violations have occurred against the background of continuing tensions in the aftermath of November 26 Mumbai attacks which India blames on Pakistan. India has claimed that the Mumbai attacks originated from Pakistan and were carried out by gunmen belonging to LeT that continues to operate despite being banned and it is no coincidence that the violations took place near LeT headquarters in Muridke near Lahore and offices in Azad Kashmir.
