RAWALPINDI: The Indian Air Force yesterday [Nov 30] committed a serious violation of West Pakistan air space — in Sialkot area. An official spokesman told newsmen at a briefing here this afternoon that “yesterday morning between 11-30 and 12 O’ clock, four Indian fighter and photo-reconnaissance aircraft violated Pakistan air space in the Sialkot area”. He said, “Fighter interceptor aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force were despatched to interrogate them. The Indian planes withdrew hastily into their own air space when they saw the Pakistani aircraft.”

… Asked if there had been any violations of Pakistan’s air space in the Western Wing by the Indians in the past months also, the spokesman replied in the affirmative. But he said this one was “more serious”. … [H]e said there had been no further combat between Indian and Pakistan Air Force planes in East Pakistan since Nov 22 though the Indians had used their Air Force to support their ground action… .

The spokesman replied in the negative when asked if Pakistan would write again to the Indian Air Force Chief against this violation, as she did when the Indian Air Force violated Pakistan’s air space in Bahawalnagar area some time ago. It would be of no use … in view of the unsatisfactory reply received at that time, he said.

Published in Dawn, December 2nd, 2021