Drone incident: FO terms Indian allegation propaganda

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan categorically rejected on Friday the Indian allegation regarding hovering of a drone over the Indian high commission in Islamabad and explicitly stated that there was no truth in the 'drone incident'.

Reacting on the Indian allegations, Foreign Office Spokesperson and Additional Foreign Secretary for Asia Pacific Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said that no proof had been shared with the complaint to substantiate the charge and alleged that it was an Indian propaganda.

Interestingly, all types of drones are banned for flying over “Red-Zone” of the federal capital, including sensitive Diplomatic Enclave where the high commissions, embassies and other diplomatic facilities are located.

Well-placed sources told The News that Indian High Commission was situated almost in the middle of the Diplomatic Enclave. It was in the close proximity of British high commission, and the embassies of Iran, Turkey, Switzerland, Germany and Jordan. In addition, the US Embassy was also at a furlong distance from the Indian high commission. None of the embassies or high commissions has reported on the presence of any drone during the recent days and weeks.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhari added, “We have seen the Indian Ministry of External Affairs statement and reports in certain sections of the Indian media alleging a drone flying over the premises of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad”. He further said that those preposterous claims had no basis. Besides, no proof whatsoever had been shared with Pakistan to substantiate those allegations.

Earlier, the Indian media quoted the External Affairs Ministry to have said that a drone was spotted over the Indian High Commission complex in Islamabad last week and Pakistan had been asked to investigate the incident and prevent recurrence of such “breach of security”.

The Indian mission had also lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the incident through a note verbale — a diplomatic communique, people familiar with the development said.

In a media briefing, Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “A drone was spotted over the premises of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on June 26. This has been taken up officially with the Government of Pakistan. We expect Pakistan to investigate the incident and prevent recurrence of such breach of security.”

Another diplomatic source pointed out that Indians had brought “drones’ saga” in affairs dealing with Pakistan and so-called terrorism. The incident in question was also a figment of imagination.