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.
Reading the comments I can only say that maybe we should really look at the enemy amongst us first before lashing out
The Taliban are a MUCH greater threat to the viability of Pakistan today than India is
we all need to unite against the Taliban first.
All of us on bth sides need to keep our calm and not over-react to things. Only those who want vilence and war will benefit from that
sign in me
@ Jyoti I realy appreciate your good intentions and advice ( no sacasism intended). But what made you think that Aam Pakistani goes about his day grinding teeth while thinking about india? I am pretty sure that you have never been to Pakistan. I was not naive even at the hight of this drama that the circus on indian media means anything about the feelings of aam indian towards Pakistan ( fortunately I have seen aam people all around the world).
I hate to do this, pointing finger back, but that is not what my intention right now. I just want to remind you that India topped the world this year in terrorist attacks, not even counting Mumbai. Even ahead of Afghanistan , Pakistan and Iraq. One reason why Pakistan is so much in the lime light is the international attention on Pakistan. And dont forget that there is the whole NATO sitting on our border. So we are in a cross fire too.
So please dont assume that Aam Pakistani only cares about india and not Pakistani issues. I will also remind you that the only political party in Pakistan who has professed anti india agenda is Jamat-e-Islami and they have about 4 seats in senate and 0 seats in National Assembly. We have also been not voting on hate. Thanks
mozang bijli writes: