Islamabad firmly denied the Indian claims that Pakistan has launched attacks on Pathankot, Jaisalmer and Srinagar, calling allegations “without foundation and irresponsible” and “politically motivated”.
On Friday, in a statement published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamabad said that India accusations were part of an “reckless propaganda campaign” designed to damage the image of Pakistan and arouse tensions in the region.
“The repeated model of leveling of accusations against Pakistan without any credible investigation reflects a deliberate strategy to make a pretext for the assault and to further destabilize the region,” said FO declaration.
On May 8, India launched strikes on Pakistan and AJK in dark hours – an assault that Islamabad called a “blatant act of war”.
Islamabad said six Pakistani locations from mosques to hydroelectric projects were targeted. At least 31 civilians, including children, were martyred and 57 injuries after launching an uninsured and sneaky attack in six places – Ahmedpur East, Muridke, Sialkot and Shakkargarh in Punjab and Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Azad Kashmir.
In retaliation, the armed forces of Pakistan shot down five planes from the Indian Air Force (IAF), seven drones, destroyed a brigade headquarters and a number of control posts along the control line (LOC).
In its statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned that such tactics not only risked peace in South Asia, but also show a “worrying desire to exploit disinformation” for political or military purposes.
Calling the international community to take note of it, the press release urged world powers to “advise India to restraint and responsibility”.
“Any climbing based on false pretexts will be welcomed with complete resolution and determination to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan,” said the government.
Pakistan stressed that it remained attached to peace, but that it “will not be dissuaded by attempts to provoke, intimidate or mislead”.
He again pointed out that “he reserves the right to respond to acts of aggression”.
These statements were also rejected by civil and military leaders in Pakistan earlier during the day.
Addressing a preseur Thursday, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, categorically rejected the allegations of India according to which Pakistan launched attacks against 15 locations through Indian territory, qualifying the claims of “completely false”. He said India is trying to present evidence to justify his recent military actions against Pakistan.
“India’s statements are baseless. The images they have shown on alleged Pakistani projectiles are laughable. A projectile of this nature would at least put the dry grass on fire, but their so-called proofs do not show such damage,” said the CEO.
He said India claimed that Pakistan had drawn 15 projectiles, which were all neutralized by the Indian air defenses. However, the CEO ISPR laughed at these claims, stressing India’s failure to protect its planes.
“If India claims that it has neutralized 15 projectiles, why could it not save its five planes from the descent by Pakistan Air Force?” He asked, referring to five Indian planes, including three Rafale fighters, a MIG-29 and a Su-30, by Pakistan Air Force.
