Pakistan Today

Pakistan to respond to India ‘at time and place of its choosing’

PakistanToday

–NSC decides to summon joint session of parliament to discuss India air force’s intrusion into Pakistani territory

–FM Qureshi writes a letter to UN secretary general, urges world body to intervene and put an end to Indian aggression

ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday rejected India’s claims of targeting an alleged militant training camp near Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunhwa in an airstrike in the wee hours of the day, and announced that “Pakistan will respond to uncalled-for Indian aggression at a time and place of its choosing”.

The meeting was summoned by the prime minister following the intrusion of Indian fighter jets from the Muzaffarabad sector at around 2.55am on Tuesday.

The NSC meeting was attended by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and other military and civilian officials, including cabinet members.

Following the NSC meeting, a handout was released stating that the forum strongly rejected Indian claims of targeting alleged terrorist camps near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties.

“Once again the 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 a strike is open for the world to see the facts on the ground. Domestic and international media is being taken to the impact site,” it added.

It concluded that India committed an attack that was uncalled for; to which Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its choosing.

In addition to that, the government wanted to take the nation on board and thus, decided to requisition the joint session of the parliament.

Moreover, PM Imran has summoned a special meeting of National Command Authority (NCA) on February 27 and 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 leaders to expose irresponsible Indian policy in the region,” the handout further read.

The PM further appreciated the timely and effective response of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) to repulse the Indian attempt without any loss of life or property.

It was reported that Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi briefed the participants on the current situation in the aftermath of the LoC violation.

The military leadership apprised the meeting regarding their preparedness to deal with any situation, sources added. The meeting also discussed the future plan of action following the violation.

‘PAKISTAN WILL RESPOND’

Addressing a press conference after the NSC meeting, Foreign Minister Qureshi said that Pakistan is a peaceful country but understands the importance of protecting its borders, as he outlined the government’s response and future course of actions in the wake of the IAF’s violation of the LoC.

The foreign minister started the press conference by reading out a statement issued by NSC saying, “The committee strongly rejected Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot as well as the claim of heavy casualties.”

Following his recitation of the statement, Qureshi announced that “a three-member committee has been formed, including me, Finance Minister Asad Umar and Defence Minister Pervez Khattak to approach the parliament so that the people of Pakistan can be taken into confidence on the evolving situation.”

Moreover, FM Qureshi said that “local and international media will be taken to the site of the Indian violation”.

“The helicopters are ready. If the weather permits, then they will be taken there so they could inspect themselves and expose the Indian propaganda. The statement of Mehbooba Mufti is in front of you. The story being presented is different from the facts.”

“It has been decided that international leadership will be engaged with, and the Foreign Office and prime minister will engage. At the request of Pakistan, there is an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) conflict group emergency meeting underway, and Tehmina Janjua is representing Pakistan there. We will present Pakistan’s point of view at that forum.”

The foreign minister said that Prime Minister Imran has also had telephonic conversations with UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as well as Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman over the issue.

“I also took British and Chinese foreign ministers into confidence because I knew a trilateral meeting is about to take place in Beijing between India, China and Russia,” Qureshi said. “I wanted to present the facts to them.”

“Today, the situation has changed. Aggression has been done against a founding member of the OIC, the Muslims in India are in fear, and Kashmiris are being targeted. That incident took place in Pulwama but the reaction was seen across all states of India. Students have had to hide and save their lives. In New Delhi there have been attacks on youth. A Muslim journalist who had no relation to Pulwama was attacked and beaten [because] he is a Kashmiri.”

“Keeping this situation in mind we need to reevaluate, and we need to brief the parliament. Whatever the facts are, aside from the foreign office, the DG military operations and deputy chief of air staff will together take them into confidence and inform them about the exact situation. It is our responsibility and obligation to inform the people of Pakistan.”

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khattak while addressing the briefing, said the Indian aircraft dropped their payload some four to five kilometres inside the LoC.

“[The incident] happened in the night-time. There are some things we cannot make public. But there will be a response [from Pakistan],” Khattak said.

Responding to a journalist’s question, FM Qureshi said the Pakistan Air Force were airborne and waiting for all eventuality.

“At 2:55am the Indian planes entered [the Pakistani airspace]. At 2:58am they [were driven out] of our airspace. They fled from the LoC because of the alertness of our air force,” the foreign minister said, as he warned not to “underestimate their [the air force’s] ability to defend Pakistan.”

“[Our air force] is always vigilant, and always ready to face the challenge. We have our own sense of timing. We will act, not react.”

When asked about violations at the Katarpur border crossing, Qureshi responded: “Kartarpur was a dream that Pakistan fulfilled. It had a message of peace that Pakistan gave. We opened the ways for Kartarpur not to shut them”

“Pakistan will do what Pakistan should do,” he said in response to a reporter’s question.

FM REGISTERS PROTEST WITH UN:

In a letter to United Nations (UN) Secretary General António Guterres, FM Qureshi highlighted India’s warmongering and threats of use of force which are contributing to the worsening regional situation.

“On the morning of February 26, India violated Pakistan’s airspace across the LoC. Such aggression and violations are harmful to regional peace,” Qureshi said.

He also said that the Indian government has been threatening to use force against Pakistan and has been accusing it of terrorism. “Such tactics are being used by the Indian government to divert attention from the ongoing human rights violations in IOK,” he said.

“Indian government is using these tactics to gain political gains in the upcoming Indian elections,” he added.

He also said that India’s actions are a blatant violation of the laws and rules of the UN and Pakistan has the right to take actions in its defence.

He further urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to intervene to put an end to Indian aggression.

Earlier in the day, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted, “Indian aircraft intrusion across LoC in Muzaffarabad Sector within AJK was 3-4 miles. Under forced hasty withdrawal aircraft released payload which had free fall in the open area. No infrastructure got hit, no casualties. Technical details and other important information to follow.”

Earlier, he had said, the Indian aircraft “released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot”.

He further 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 went back. Details to follow.”

The invasion into the Pakistan air space follows a series of threats by the Indian political and military leadership after the attack on an Indian Army convoy at Pulwama by local youth, in reaction to the oppression unleashed by the occupational forces.

Moreover, according to Reuters, India’s Defence Ministry said that it had “no information” about Pakistan’s claims.

 

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