(Publish from Houston Texas USA)
(By Mian Iftikhar Ahmed)
Flight Operations Briefly Suspended as PAF Neutralizes Drone Threat Over Capital
ISLAMABAD: A serious security crisis emerged in the capital Islamabad this morning as the Pakistan Air Force took complete control of the airspace over Islamabad and Rawalpindi, while all flight operations at Islamabad International Airport were temporarily suspended, this step was taken after two drones crossed from across the Afghan border into Pakistani airspace and were neutralized, this incident created a state of fear and panic in the capital while citizens were advised to stay in safe locations.
According to the Pakistan Air Force’s Public Relations department, this morning PAF Air Defence intercepted and destroyed two drones attempting to enter the airspace of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, this operation was carried out near Faizabad Interchange and the I-9 sector of Islamabad, according to sources these drones were of a basic type and were laden with explosive material, the PAF targeted them using electronic counter measures, the PAF spokesman made it clear that no military or government installation suffered any damage in this attack, however some minor damage occurred from the debris of the fallen drones, there are reports of four people being injured in various areas including Quetta, the injured have been transferred to nearby hospitals where their condition is stated to be out of danger.
Immediately after this incident, flight operations at Islamabad International Airport were temporarily suspended, the Pakistan Airports Authority issued a Notice to Airmen in this regard, in which operational reasons were cited for the flight suspension, according to this notice, all incoming and outgoing flights were redirected to alternative airports, however a few hours later the PAA issued another statement terming the news of the airport closure as baseless and said that flights have been resumed after the situation returned to normal, the purpose of the temporary flight suspension was to deal with possible further threats and to buy time for security clearance, during this period a special operation was conducted to clear the airspace.
According to Pakistani officials, these drones were launched from Afghanistan and their affiliation is with Fitna al-Khawarij, which is the term used for the banned organization Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Pakistan alleges that the Afghan Taliban government is providing sanctuary to these terrorist groups on its soil, this incident has come to light in the context of increasing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Pakistan has lodged a strong protest holding Afghan authorities responsible for this incident, Pakistan’s stance is that Afghan soil is being used for terrorism against Pakistan which could have serious consequences, according to Foreign Office sources, Afghan authorities have been immediately informed about this incident and a protest is being registered through diplomatic channels.
After the attack, strict security measures have been implemented in the capital, aerial surveillance by the PAF has been further increased and all necessary steps have been taken to deal with any potential threat, the PAF spokesman has said that the defense of Pakistan’s soil will be ensured at all costs and every nefarious intention of the enemy will be thwarted, the timely and effective action by the PAF saved the capital from a potential major disaster, this operation is being appreciated across the country and various circles are paying tribute to the PAF.
This incident highlights the unconventional threats facing Pakistan’s security, an attack via drones is a new challenge for which the PAF is equipped with the latest technology and training, according to experts such threats may increase in the future, in view of which the PAF is further enhancing its defense capabilities, this incident has proven that Pakistan’s airspace will be protected from any kind of violation, defense experts say that the PAF’s expertise in electronic warfare played a key role in this success.
It is pertinent to mention that Pakistan has been facing increasing cross-border terrorist incidents from Afghanistan for several months, Pakistani authorities have repeatedly demanded from the Afghan interim government to prevent its soil from being used against Pakistan, previously also many Pakistani citizens and security personnel have been martyred in attacks by terrorists coming from Afghanistan in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, however this is the first time an attempt has been made to target the capital Islamabad, security analysts say that after this incident Pakistan will have to further tighten security on its western border and exert effective diplomatic pressure on the Afghan government.
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