Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar on Thursday briefed the media on an Indian” high-speed flying object “that fell in Mian Channu, Khanewal quarter on Wednesday night.
“It was a supersonic flying object, utmost presumably a bullet, but it was clearly unarmed,” he said.
Before reports had suggested that a private aircraft had crashed in the area.
“On March 9, at 643 pm, a high-speed flying object was picked up inside the Indian home by Air Defence Operations Centre of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF),” he began.”From its original course, the object suddenly manoeuvred towards Pakistani home and violated Pakistan’s air space, eventually falling near Mian Channu at 650 pm.”
“When it fell, it damaged mercenary parcels,” he said, adding no loss of life was reported.
DG ISPR Press Conference - 10 March 2022 https://t.co/W5HTbFll3V
“PAF continuously covered the complete flying path of the object, from its point of origin near Sirsa in India to its point of impact, near Mian Channu.
“It initiated needful politic conduct,” he said.
“It’s important to punctuate that the flight path of this object risked numerous transnational and domestic passenger breakouts — both in Indian and Pakistani air space — as well as mortal life and property on the ground.
“Whatever caused this incident to be, it’s for the Indians to explain. It, nonetheless, shows their casualness for aeronautics safety and reflects veritably inadequately on their technological prowess and procedural effectiveness,” he said, adding that this could have redounded in a major aeronautics disaster.
‘ Obvious violation’
“Pakistan explosively protests this obvious violation and cautions against the rush of any similar incident in the future,” he advised.
Air Vice Marshall Tariq Zia told the media that at the time this gunshot was picked up, there were two airway routes active and several marketable airlines in the area. However, it was 40, 000 bases high, “If you look at the speed and height of the gunshot. This could have been veritably mischievous to the safety of passengers.”
The gunshot travelled 124 kilometres inside a Pakistani home in three twinkles and 44 seconds, he added.
The DG also made it clear that there was no sensitive installation in Mian Channu where the gunshot fell.
In response to a question, he said”testing and trial of similar armament systems do take place”.”But what this was, India has to explain.”
“This incident reflects the questionable capabilities of the mortal coffers working on these programmes in India as well as this technology.”
Asked for further details about the object, he said”we aren’t claiming anything right now”.”As a responsible nation, we will stay for India to respond. We’ve given details of whatever we know right now. But it’s for the Indians to explain what happens in Mian Channu.”
“All our forces are alert to the trouble and challenges that we face.”
‘ Army has nothing to do with politics’
During the Q&A session, the DG ISPR was also asked whether the army was standing with Prime Minister Imran Khan, in relation to the current political situation and his impending no-confidence vote.
“ I had easily stated in my last press conference that the army has nothing to do with politics,” he replied. “ It’s this way and it’ll remain this way.”
He also requested that there” be no gratuitous enterprises about this now”.