Indian jets violate LoC, scramble back after PAF's timely response

RAWALPINDI: Indian aircraft in the wee hours of Tuesday intruded the Line of Control (LoC) near Muzaffarabad sector, however they scrambled back following timely response from the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor in a tweet said the Indian Air Force violated the LoC and the PAF’s prompt response compelled the Indian aircrafts to go back.

He said “facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force, [Indian jets] released [their] payload in haste while escaping, which fell near Balakot.” However, no casualties or damage was reported, DG ISPR added.

“Indian aircrafts’ intrusion across LOC in Muzaffarabad Sector within AJ&K was 3-4 miles. Under forced hasty withdrawal aircrafts released payload which had free fall in open area. No infrastructure got hit, no casualties. Technical details and other important information to follow,” Ghafoor said in a series of tweets.

Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircrafts gone back. Details to follow.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 25, 2019

Indian aircrafts intruded from Muzafarabad sector. Facing timely and effective response from Pakistan Air Force released payload in haste while escaping which fell near Balakot. No casualties or damage.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019

Payload of hastily escaping Indian aircrafts fell in open. pic.twitter.com/8drYtNGMsm

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019

Indian aircrafts’ intrusion across LOC in Muzafarabad Sector within AJ&K was 3-4 miles.Under forced hasty withdrawal aircrafts released payload which had free fall in open area. No infrastructure got hit, no casualties. Technical details and other important information to follow.

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) February 26, 2019

On February 22, Major General Asif Ghafoor had warned India of retaliation if it chose to attack Pakistan or opted for any sort of aggression against the country.

Addressing a press conference, the DG ISPR had responded to India’s war threats after the February 14 Pulwama attack by saying that India had this habit of blaming Pakistan after terror attacks in the Occupied Kashmir or in its own territory without evidence but if the eastern neighbour tried to initiate war Pakistan’s valiant “forces won’t be surprised but will surprise you (India)”.