Islamabad (Staff Report/Agencies): Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday convened a special meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting to review the situation emerging after the violation of Line of Control (LoC) by Indian Air Force.
“The meeting of National Security Committee (NSC) has said that Pakistan will respond at the time and place of its choosing to respond as India has committed uncalled aggression”, Radio Pakistan reported.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the NSC strongly rejected Indian claim of targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of heavy casualties.
“Once again Indian government has resorted to a self serving, reckless and fictitious claim”.
The meeting was told that claimed area of strike is open for the world to see the facts on ground and for this domestic and international media is being taken to the impact site
The meeting said this action has been done for domestic consumption being in election environment, putting regional peace and stability at grave risk.
Meanwhile, the government has decided to requisition joint session of the Parliament to take the nation on board.
Prime Minister Imran Khan directed that elements of national power including the Armed Forces and the people of Pakistan to remain prepared for all eventualities. He decided to engage with global leadership to expose irresponsible Indian policy in the region, the statement said.
The PM also appreciated timely and effective response of PAF to repulse Indian attempt without any loss of life or property.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Finance Minister Asad Umar, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and other military and civilian officials.
This is pertinent to mention that the Indian Air Force violated Line of Control (LoC) in the early hours of Tuesday following which Pakistan Air Force (PAF) immediately scrambled and Indian aircraft went back.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted that the Indian aircrafts intrusion across the LoC in Muzaffarabad sector within AJK was three to four miles.
The DG ISPR added under forced hasty withdrawal, the Indian aircraft released payload which had free fall in an open area. He said that no infrastructure got hit and there were no casualties.
While escaping, the IAF jets released payload in haste which fell in an open area near Balakot without causing any damage, he said.
