Pakistan justifies Indian air space violation, says "Not retaliation, but self defence"

Pakistan Foreign Office said in a statement said, "Today, Pakistan Air Force undertook strikes across Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace. This was not a retaliation to continued Indian belligerence."

Pakistan on Wednesday justified the violation of the Indian air space saying that it is "not a retaliation, but self defence". (AFP)

New Delhi: Pakistan on Wednesday justified the violation of the Indian air space saying that it is "not a retaliation, but self defence". The neighboring country said that its jets crossed the Line of Control to undertake strikes in India to demonstrate their country's right, will and capability for self defence. Indian officials said Pakistani fighter jets today violated Indian air space in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Nowshera sectors but were pushed back by Indian aircraft. Pakistan Foreign Office was quoted as saying, "Today, Pakistan Air Force undertook strikes across Line of Control from within Pakistani airspace. This was not a retaliation to continued Indian belligerence." The statement by PFO further stating, "Pakistan has therefore, taken strikes at non military target, avoiding human loss and collateral damage. Sole purpose being to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We have no intention of escalation, but are fully prepared to do so if forced into that paradigm."

Mohammad Faisal, Pakistan's MoFA spokesperson: PAF undertook strikes across LoC from Pakistani airspace. Sole purpose of this action was to demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence. We do not wish to escalate but are fully prepared if forced into that paradigm. pic.twitter.com/hSVlgYVsyX

— ANI (@ANI) February 27, 2019

"That is why we undertook the action with clear warning and in broad daylight. For the last few years, India has been trying to establish what they call 'a new normal' a thinly veiled term for doing acts of aggression at whatever pretext they wish on a given day," it added. "If India is striking at so called terrorist backers without a shred of evidence, we also retain reciprocal rights to retaliate against elements that enjoy Indian patronage while carrying out acts of terror in Pakistan. We do not wish to go to that route and wish that India gives peace a chance and to resolve issues like a mature democratic nation," it said. (With inputs from PTI)