The Hindu : Front Page : India: no air space intrusion

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 15, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

India: no air space intrusion

Sandeep Dikshit

Technical incursion, says Pakistan

Says claim could be overexcitement or propaganda
Cites Pakistan’s subsequent toned down observations

NEW DELHI: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has rejected Pakistani claims of air space intrusion on Saturday night over Lahore and parts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir(PoK). “There has been no air space violation as has been alleged,” said the IAF spokesperson.

Other IAF officials felt the reason for the Pakistani claim could be “overexcitement” or “propaganda” and referred to the toned down observations from Islamabad later in the day to support their contention.

Earlier on Sunday, the Pakistan Air Force claimed to have scrambled its fighters to force IAF planes to return.

Officers felt strict action could be taken for inadvertent intrusions.

Zardari explains

Nirupama Subramanian reports from Islamabad:

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday described an alleged violation of Pakistani air space by Indian Air Force planes as a “technical incursion.”

Asked about India’s “aggression,” at his joint press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Mr. Zardari said he knew about the alleged incident and his was the “correct information.”

Describing it as a “technical incursion, not an incursion as such,” Mr. Zardari went on to explain that “when [the planes] are at a height of 40,000-50,000 ft up in the air, when they turn, their turn has slightly entered Pakistani soil.”

He said military contacts existed between the two countries at the level of the Directors-General Military Operations, and there was constant dialogue between the two.

“It is just that at the moment [the media] have been trying to sell the bad news, and I would appreciate if they did not,” he said.

“No cause for alarm”

Earlier, Information Minister Sherry Rehman said it was an “inadvertent” intrusion and was “no cause for alarm.”

Indian officials here, who denied there was any intrusion, technical or inadvertent, said it was not clear who in the Indian government the Pakistan leadership had contacted before making statements about it.

A senior diplomat said the Indian High Commission was not involved in providing any “clarification” to the Pakistan government.

He said he was told that no official of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi either was contacted by the Pakistan government for information.

The reported incursions were the talk of Pakistan all of Sunday. Every newspaper led with it after Geo Television first reported it at about midnight.

The media reported there were two incursions, one in the Lahore area and the other in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“I am waiting to see Pakistan keep its word”

India: house arrest, sealing won’t do

Ajmal is a Pakistani: Geo TV

Furnish evidence, says Pakistan

'Attacks linked to Pakistan outfits'

Pakistan will fulfil obligations: Gilani

Crackdown on Jamat-ud-Dawah

U.N. slaps sanctions on Jamat-ud-Dawah

Ban will limit JuD capacity: U.S.

State sponsors accountable: Bush

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail