By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - Pakistan Foreign Ministry on Thursday summoned the Indian senior diplomat in Islamabad and lodged a protest over the violation of its airspace.

In a statement, issued from the Foreign Ministry, said the Charge d’Affaires (Cd’A) of India in Islamabad was summoned to the Foreign Office and conveyed Pakistan’s strong protest over the “unprovoked” violation of its airspace.

“Pakistan’s [lodged] strong protest over the “unprovoked” violation of its airspace by an Indian origin ‘super-sonic flying object’ which entered into Pakistan from ‘Suratgarh’ India at 1843 hrs. (PST) on 9 March 2022 and fell to the ground near Mian Chunnu city in Pakistan at around 1850 hrs. the same day causing damage to civilian property,” said the Foreign Ministry

“The Indian diplomat was conveyed that the imprudent launch of the flying object not only caused damage to civilian property but also put at risk human lives on ground. Besides, the flight path of the flying object endangered several domestic/international flights within Pakistani airspace and could have resulted in a serious aviation accident as well as civilian casualties,” it’s added.

The ministry told the Indian senior diplomate to convey their government Pakistan’s strong condemnation of “this blatant violation” of its country’s airspace in contravention of the established international norms and Aviation safety protocols.

 “Such irresponsible incidents were also reflective of India’s disregard for Air safety and callousness towards regional peace and stability,” Islamabad warned.

Pakistan also called for a thorough and transparent investigation of the incident, and the outcome of which must be shared with Pakistan. 

“Moreover, the Government of India is cautioned to be mindful of the unpleasant consequences of such negligence and take effective measures to avoid the recurrence off such violations in future,” it’s warned. 

 Earlier, Pakistan army spokesman Major General Babar Iftikhar said that Wednesday around 6:43 PM, local time, a Hi-speed flying object was picked up inside Indian Territory by the Air Defence Operations Center of PAF.

 “From its initial course, the object suddenly maneuvered towards Pakistani Territory and violated Pakistan Air Space ultimately falling near Mian Channu at 6:50 PM also damaged some civilian property,” said the spokesman of the Pakistan army told reporters.

“Thankfully, no loss or injury to human life was caused,” he added.

According to the military spokesman, Pakistan Air Force was continuously monitoring the complete flight path of the flying object from its point of origin Sirsa in India till its point of impact near Mian Channu and initiated requisite tactical actions by SOPs.

He said that the flight path of that object was endangered as many International and domestic passenger flights both in Indian and Pakistani airspace as well as human life and property on the ground.

The military spokesman urged New Delhi to explain whatever caused this incident to happen.

“It nevertheless shows their disregard for aviation safety and reflects very poorly on their technological prowess and procedural efficiency.

“The incident could have resulted in a major aviation disaster as well as civilian casualties on the ground,” said Gen. Babar.