In a press briefing, Pakistani Defence Minister Pervez Khattak stated that it was dark and Pakistan was not able to analyze the impact so the PAF could not carry out retaliation. Khattak made the statement in the context of lethal air-strike conducted by Indian Air Force. Earlier, the Indian Air Force carried out unprecedented air strikes deep into Pakistani territory. Terror camps of Jaish e Mohammed, Lashkar e Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.
Explaining the inability of retaliation, Khatak said, “Our air force was ready, but since it was happening in the night and it was dark, they could not gauge the extent of the damage. So they waited and now they have received clear directions.”
However, when a journalist asked a counter question about the “darkness”, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi took the charge and tried to cover-up the whole episode and added, “May I just add. The Pakistan Air Force was already air-bound. We were ready for all eventualities”.
Earlier, Pakistan had warned India of retaliation in case an attack happens on Pakistani territory. “The response will surely come,” the Pakistan Defence Minister said. On the same tone, Pakistan’s army spokesperson Major General Asif Gafoor said, “We will surprise you, wait for that surprise. Response will come differently”. However, it seems more of like a hollow bravado.
Another excuse given by the Pakistani side was that the Indian jets were too fast to counter. The Indian Air Force had must have either jammed the Pakistani defense detection radar or taken counter detection measures and went across the LoC taking the terrorist nation by surprise. According to reports, AWACs were used to dodge Pakistani radars. Also, Indian jets flew low altitude to avoid detection. Though Pakistan is trying to claim that there was no damage on its side, the IAF fighter jets had reportedly dropped 1,000 kg bombs in Pakistan. The kind and extent of damage that would have been caused is absolutely unthinkable. It is clear that the terrorist nation must be shattered by these airstrikes.
Indian Air Force violated Line of Control. Pakistan Air Force immediately scrambled. Indian aircrafts gone back. Details to follow.
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) February 25, 2019
For a long time, Pakistani media and even the lawmakers hadn’t acknowledged the air-strikes. However, after a while, the Pakistani Army confirmed the attacks and claimed that only a few trees were damaged and they decided to take the matter to the international forum. When asked about the site of the attack made available to the media the Pakistan establishment stated that they will take the international media to the site ‘after the weather is clear’.
It clearly seems that the government of Pakistan is in panic and they are finding it hard to digest the deadly attack. If Pakistan does not stop interfering in India’s internal affairs, then it can imagine what India can do if it goes all out against Pakistan. This is the rise of new India.
