Pakistan Fired at Intruding Indian Plane

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, March 12, 2002

Pakistan Fired at Intruding Indian Plane

Pakistan Monday acknowledged for the first time that it had fired on an Indian plane that had entered Pakistan airspace at the Line of Control, but the aircraft managed to return.

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Pakistan Monday acknowledged for the first time that it had fired on an Indian plane that had entered Pakistan airspace at the Line of Control, but the aircraft managed to return.

Maj General Rashid Qureshi, military spokesman, at a briefing at the Foreign Office giving details of the incident said: "When forces are so close to each other at borders there are always chances of a mishap as was evident some time back when an Indian aircraft 'strayed' into our airspace and took fire. After this, when it went back it was fired upon by Indian forces and certainly turned to be embarrassing for the Indians".

Indian sources told The News that the Indian defence ministry has ordered an inquiry into the incident, which occurred over two weeks ago involving an AN-32 transporter, piloted by Air Marshal Vinod Bhatia, involving the Western Command Air Chief. "When forces are eyeball to eyeball there are chances of such mishaps," added Qureshi.

He warned that unless the Indian forces withdrew to peace time positions such incidents would continue to happen. "It is now quite obvious to the Indian people that the military buildup is counter productive. If it was designed to coerce Pakistan then this has not happened. It is clear to the Indian government that this has brought no advantage," Qureshi explained.

Foreign Office Spokesman Aziz Khan said it was time now for India to break the deadlock as Pakistan could only take a position and make reasonable suggestion. "One cannot force the other side. The international community has taken open position and we hope reason will prevail. We want reduction in tension and we have said that resolution of all issues is through dialogue. We have made enough offers and the ball is now in India's court. It is for them to react", said Khan.

India Denies Aircraft Strayed Into Pakistan

India Monday denied Islamabad's claim that an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft had strayed into Pakistani airspace Sunday and was fired upon.

"No such incident has taken place", a Defense Ministry spokesman said after Pakistan Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Rashid Quershi had claimed that Pakistani forces fired on an IAF plane which had strayed into its airspace Sunday.

Quershi, without specifying the location of the intrusion, claimed that the plane carrying a senior IAF official was monitoring Pakistani positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

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