I hope that sanity returns soon to the sub-continent and hawkish talk (and now action) of war mongering does not get out of hand. It is all too easy for things to escalate. It is never easy for them to be brought back into control once they have done so.
In what seems to be a case of military provocation and pressure tactics against Pakistan, Indian planes violated Pakistani airspace yesterday. Even though the violations have been officially termed as ‘inadvertent’, two border violations on the same day are a little too much. It will be interesting to see whether international community says anything against these violations or remains silent spectator.
According to latest Dawn update:
ISLAMABAD, Dec 13: Indian planes violated Pakistan’s airspace on Saturday, but fighters of the Pakistan Air Force chased them away, military as well as civilian officials confirmed late in the night.
Air Commodre Humayun Viqar Zephyr, a PAF spokesman, told Dawn that the Indian planes intruded into Pakistan’s airspace in Azad Kashmir and Lahore sectors, but left as soon as they sighted the PAF jets.
He said there was no cause for concern as the PAF was “fully alive to the situation and capable of giving a befitting reply in case of a misadventureâ€.
Official sources said President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani were immediately informed about the incident and the matter was taken up with the Indian authorities.
Information Minister Sherry Rehman confirmed that Islamabad had got in touch with authorities in New Delhi, implicitly conceding that the violation did take place. But she hastened to add that Indians had done it inadvertently
From Pakistani side, I am heartened to read the messages of unity where both Government and opposition leaders have put aside their petty differences and unequivocally condemned this act of aggression.
Lets see what effects such violations will have. Will Pakistan now move its armed forces towards Indian border leaving the western border less guarded? With the Pakistani border on both the West and the East being violated routinely, something will have to give? But what? Who will win in such situation? How will such acts effect the democratic government in Pakistan?
Will good sense prevail and will diplomacy prevail over aggression? I certainly hope it does.
This was an attempt by the Indians to capture information about Pakistani radars and response times. The Indians also hoped to keep this story alive in the media.
Good job by PAF. Pakistanis need to be united and supportive of their armed forces to prevent any foolish aggression by India.
Right now, everything is being scene in the context of Mumbai, but this is rather misleading. How does one explain the blockage of Chinab water to Pakistan even before the Mumbai attacks? Or the way the Indian govt was holding back on the tour of its cricket team to Pakistan even before Mumbai? They had played the Asia cup in summer, so how was the security situation any different now? Even after the attacks, how does stopping cricket advance the goal of peace and margenalizing the extremist elements?
Here are two rather scary pieces, and Pakistanis do need to take necessary precautions instead of taking these things lightly.
Bharat Varma (Editor of India’s leading defense journal):
Stable Pakistan not in India
It sounds quite possibly true. War might very well be upon us and I hope that we don’t end up being boiled like frogs.
I hope our military is on high alert. Even if there is only a 10% chance of Indian incursions into Pakistani territory (for whatever reason – seek out “terrorists” or even blatantly instigate war) We need to prepare ourselves.
I just wanna mention that I’m proud of our army and airforce. I’ve seen a fair amount of activity of military cargo and other planes while driving around Shahrah-e-Faisal over the last couple of days and every time I see such a jet, I feel safe that our military is active while the giant across the border spews hate towards us. Prepare for war if we must. I am with Pakistan either way.
this comment is not intended to create any abuse chain comments :) This is merely my perspective.
I don’t think it’s a pressure tactics.
1. Indian foreign minister has mentioned clearly that, “What I can say is what I believe and what the position of the government of India is that war is not the solution to the problem.” This was mentioned in Parliament debate as well.
2. Why can’t this be something similar to the Hoax call incident which happened last week?
btw, this is the latest interview given by Indian foreign minister to Karan Thapar,Indian reporter.
Peace?
Tali dono hatho se bajti hey janab. Ek haath se sirf chamat parta hay aur ham peace k naam par chamat pey chamat kushi kushi khaye jarhe hain.