Indian forces open fire on Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Prime Minister’s helicopter

[Abdullah719]

MUZAFFARABAD: A chopper carrying AJK Prime Minister (PM) Raja Farooq Haider and some members of his cabinet was attacked by the Indian army from across the Line of Control (LoC) on Sunday.

Firing on the civilian helicopter took place at Tarori village near the LoC in Haveli District of Azad Kashmir, where Khan went to condole the death of a colleague’s elder brother.

However, PM Haider is safe and sound and there is no report of any human or material loss.

While talking to journalists in Islamabad, he termed the incident as cowardice act on the part of India. He said India out of sheer frustration arising out of its failure to crush the resistance put up by valiant people of Kashmir is trying create an atmosphere of war in the region.

The Indian warmongering is also aimed at to deflect world attention from the gross violation of Kashmiris’ human rights that have been exposed UN Human Rights Commission report, PM Haider added.

President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan strongly condemned the unprovoked fire by Indian occupation forces on the AJK PM’s helicopter.

He said such acts by the Indian forces will not intimidate our leadership and civilians in their struggle towards ascertaining the right to self-determination of Kashmiris living under oppressive Indian rule.

The President said that this act displays India’s insecurities and has exposed their aggressive posturing and warmongering methods. He added that such maneuvers by the Indian government and forces is aimed at diverting attention from the grave human rights violations taking place in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

President Khan also said that this incident was a tactic used to raise tensions in the area and delay any prospective talks on Kashmir in a peaceful manner as envisioned under the UN Security Council resolutions.

Later, the President called PM Haider and inquired about the incident apart from expressing relief on his safe return.

Border forces stationed on both sides of the LoC regularly report to each other about aerial movement over the disputed border.

The aerial movement of AJK PM was already informed to the Indian security forces and the helicopter’s white colour clearly indicated that it was a civilian chopper.

The helicopter returned after the firing incident and landed safely without any damage.

On the other hand, the Indian Army issued a statement terming it a Pakistan Army helicopter.

A video has also been released by the Indian Army related to this incident.

The firing incident reflects the state of affairs of panic-stricken Indian army and the media that termed a white-coloured civilian chopper a Pakistan Army helicopter.

The incident comes a day after Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi criticised the Indian government for its human rights violations in the Indian-occupied Kashmir and its failure to initiate bilateral peace talks between the two countries on the sidelines of UN General Assembly.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1815217/1-indian-forces-fire-helicopter-carrying-ajk-pm-along-loc/

 

[Pakistanian]

India just tried to assasinate a government official, in fact the head of state of Azad Kashmir. This is disgusting and could potentially escalate to a war.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Did the pilot throw a stone out of the window?

What is the Indian side of the story?

 

[cricketjoshila]

What was the helicopter doing inside Indian airspace?

 

[KingKhanWC]

What was the helicopter doing inside Indian airspace?

Only according to the Indians. Everyone else is reporting it was flying close to the LOC. Are Indian blind they could not see it was not a Pak army helicopter? A deliberate act of state terrorism trying to assassinate a leader.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Only according to the Indians. Everyone else is reporting it was flying close to the LOC. Are Indian blind they could not see it was not a Pak army helicopter? A deliberate act of state terrorism trying to assassinate a leader.

Who everyone else?

Do you know no flying thing is allowed within kms of LoC.

As if Pak Army will announce if they were on a spying mission.

 

[KingKhanWC]

Who everyone else?

Do you know no flying thing is allowed within kms of LoC.

As if Pak Army will announce if they were on a spying mission.

Media reports from various outlets.

No aircraft can fly over the LOC.

Spy on what? lol The leader was visiting a village to pay his condolences. Indian army thought it was a good opportunity to kill him, thankfully they were incompetent.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Media reports from various outlets.

No aircraft can fly over the LOC.

Spy on what? lol The leader was visiting a village to pay his condolences. Indian army thought it was a good opportunity to kill him, thankfully they were incompetent.

How would anyone know who was inside? Lol.

If Indians wanted to bring down that heli they will fire SAMs.

 

[El Generico]

Who everyone else?

Do you know no flying thing is allowed within kms of LoC.

As if Pak Army will announce if they were on a spying mission.

Why in the world would the PM go on a spy mission? I understand you have to be uber patriotic all the time but still try to think logically

 

[KingKhanWC]

How would anyone know who was inside? Lol.

If Indians wanted to bring down that heli they will fire SAMs.

Indian intelligence should have know whose chopper it was and the reason it was flying in this area.

It was downed.

 

[slipcatch]

Why in the world would the PM go on a spy mission? I understand you have to be uber patriotic all the time but still try to think logically

The word isn’t patriotic, it is extremist nationalists, who has embarrassed themselves multiple times.

Still waiting on surgical strike evidence.

Modi and the Indian army seem really desperate during election time.

Largest democracy in the world and yet their Army and government have been completely radicalized due to false created fear that Hinduism is under attack, probably it has to do with history.

 

[Hitman]

Pakistani chopper violates Indian airspace in J&K's Poonch: Army

Link: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...ates-indian-airspace/articleshow/66014993.cms

 

[MenInG]

Indian army fires at AJK premier’s copter near LoC

ISLAMABAD: The Indian army opened fire at the helicopter of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider from a post when he was travelling to a village near the volatile Line of Control (LoC) on Sunday.

The prime minister was travelling with two ministers and his personal staff officer in the helicopter that narrowly escaped the attack near Abbaspur village.

The incident took place in broad daylight when PM Haider was going to visit one of his cabinet members to condole the death of his brother.

Raja Farooq Haider and two ministers escape unhurt

Only a day ago, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi while addressing the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York had highlighted the longstanding issue of Kashmir and held India responsible for terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

Talking to Dawn, PM Haider said the incident took place at around 12:10pm.

“I had gone to Forward Kahuta to condole the death of one of my ministers’ brother and meet the residents of the area adjacent to the LoC. While we were passing through Abbaspur, the Indian army suddenly opened fire at my helicopter. Luckily, we remained unhurt and the helicopter was not damaged,” he said.

“We were very close to zero line but we were within our space. Moreover, it was a civilian helicopter so the Indian army should not have opened fire at it,” he said.

Mr Haider said that military helicopters, on both sides, intimated each other before flying according to the standard operating procedure. But as it was a civilian helicopter there was no need to intimate about it, he said. The PM said he frequently travelled in the area but such an incident had never happened.

While replying to a question, the AJK premier said that he would formally take up the matter with the government of Pakistan to pursue the issue and take appropriate action.

AJK President Sardar Masood Khan, according to a statement issued from New York, strongly condemned the unprovoked fire by the Indian occupation forces on the civilian helicopter carrying the prime minister of AJK and members of his cabinet.

Terming it an act of cowardice, the president said such acts by the Indian forces would not intimidate the Kashmiris living under the oppressive Indian rule in their struggle for their right to self-determination.

The AJK president said that the unprovoked fire was a tactic used to raise tensions in the area and delay any prospective talks on Kashmir.

He said this act had not only exposed India’s aggressive posturing and warmongering but also displayed its insecurities. Such manoeuvres by the Indian government and forces were aimed at diverting attention from the real issue of Kashmir and the grave human rights violations taking place in India-held Kashmir, he said.

He asked the Indian government to forgo such gimmicks and threatening tactics, and instead come to the dialogue table for resolving the issue of Kashmir in a peaceful manner as envisioned under the UN Security Council resolutions.

He earlier called PM Haider and inquired about the incident and expressed relief on his safe return.

‘Violation of international law’

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz president Mian Shahbaz Sharif called the AJK prime minister and inquired about the details of the incident.

Condemning the incident, Mr Sharif said the attack was severe violation of international and bilateral laws. It was also against the diplomatic norms, he added.

“It was an act of cowardice and thank God that Mr Haider was not hurt,” he said.

Reuters adds: Confirming that the AJK prime minister’s helicopter did come under fire, Indian authorities alleged that the Pakistani chopper had violated the Indian air space along the LoC around noon.

“It could likely to be a civil chopper and was flying very high. The air sentries at forward location had engaged it with small arms,” spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1436122/indian-army-fires-at-ajk-premiers-copter-near-loc

 

[ahmedzee]

Funny how Indian media fools the public... the chopper was within Pakistan side ... it was an assassination attemp and a call for war. There is only room for both the countries if that happens.

War mongering should stop (specially from Indian govt and the drama queens on this forums). Europe realized what is the outcome of war. India needs to realize that too.

 

[Hitman]

Funny how Indian media fools the public... the chopper was within Pakistan side ... it was an assassination attemp and a call for war. There is only room for both the countries if that happens.

War mongering should stop (specially from Indian govt and the drama queens on this forums). Europe realized what is the outcome of war. India needs to realize that too.

Indian media fools the public .... and Pakistani media is speaking the truth? How can you be so sure?

 

[Xoib]

Indian media fools the public .... and Pakistani media is speaking the truth? How can you be so sure?

and how can you be sure?

 

[IMMY69]

Indian media fools the public .... and Pakistani media is speaking the truth? How can you be so sure?

I exposed the Indian media during Pakistan’s elections.
Takes the term “Fake News” to a whole new level.

You could argue it is a bit of “he said, she said” situation but India’s insecurity complex is undoubted and these cowardly acts are a manifestation of this.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Why in the world would the PM go on a spy mission? I understand you have to be uber patriotic all the time but still try to think logically

How would anyone know who was in the copter? It came inside illegal airspace it was fired upon.

 

[cricketjoshila]

Indian intelligence should have know whose chopper it was and the reason it was flying in this area.

It was downed.

It was not downed.

 

[Waseem]

You have to be extremely DUMB to think Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir (and his ministers) will deliberately go on spy mission in Indian airspace.

It's pretty clear that Indian Army is creating war hysteria which helps Modi to win next year's elections.

These extremists will never allow peace in the region.

 

[cricketjoshila]

You have to be extremely DUMB to think Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir (and his ministers) will deliberately go on spy mission in Indian airspace.

It's pretty clear that Indian Army is creating war hysteria which helps Modi to win next year's elections.

These extremists will never allow peace in the region.

How would anyone know who is in the copter that is violating the airspace?

 

[Madplayer]

Only an Indian would believe the cooked up story that a sitting Prime minister of another state, ladies and gentlemen let this sink in, a sitting Prime minister of another state would cross the border in a civilian chopper to spy on India ) If Indian army would say Earth is the shape of a donut, the Indian would believe it no questions asked.

 

[slipcatch]

You have to be extremely DUMB to think Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir (and his ministers) will deliberately go on spy mission in Indian airspace.

It's pretty clear that Indian Army is creating war hysteria which helps Modi to win next year's elections.

These extremists will never allow peace in the region.

This

The most hostile, radicalized, extremists government to ever come to power in recent times in India, which is also supported by Indian Army.

The Indian army is literally helping BJP to be elected again. So much for democracy in India.

As many have said, only Indian extremists Nationalists and naive awam of India would believe in such made up bollywood scripted fairy tales.

 

[pakistan cricket fan]

Indian media and Indian Army both shameless

 

[Hitman]

and how can you be sure?

I'm not the one to claim anything in the first place. It was a Pakistani poster who claimed that the Indian media is lying.

 

[Hitman]

I exposed the Indian media during Pakistan’s elections.
Takes the term “Fake News” to a whole new level.

You could argue it is a bit of “he said, she said” situation but India’s insecurity complex is undoubted and these cowardly acts are a manifestation of this.

It's about this particular issue, not what happened during Pakistan elections.

 

[Hitman]

You have to be extremely DUMB to think Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir (and his ministers) will deliberately go on spy mission in Indian airspace.

It's pretty clear that Indian Army is creating war hysteria which helps Modi to win next year's elections.

These extremists will never allow peace in the region.

It's not about spying inside Indian airspace, it's about violating the rules. And there was no way for the Indian army to know who was in the chopper. The question is did it or did it not violate Indian airspace. Indian army says it did. Pakistani media says it didn't.

 

[PakLFC]

Again with this firing proved that India is the instigator of violence in the sub continent. Then Indian people talk about peace. It's Pakistan not Iraq they are dealing with here.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

So the argument, as I understand, is that PM AJK’s chopper violated Indian Air Space. Second argument here is that they didn’t know that it was PM’s chopper. So here’s my question; what are the protocols for air space violations? As far as I know, the first priority is to establish contact with the source of violation. If they did that, then how could they not know that it was PM’s chopper? Secondly, if they did know, how could they fire live ammunition on a sovereign leader’s aircraft? I mean seriously?

 

[cricketjoshila]

So the argument, as I understand, is that PM AJK’s chopper violated Indian Air Space. Second argument here is that they didn’t know that it was PM’s chopper. So here’s my question; what are the protocols for air space violations? As far as I know, the first priority is to establish contact with the source of violation. If they did that, then how could they not know that it was PM’s chopper? Secondly, if they did know, how could they fire live ammunition on a sovereign leader’s aircraft? I mean seriously?

Rotary wing flying object within 1km of the LoC is the rule. For fixed wing aircraft its 10km.

LoC is a active war zone. So whats this establishing contact nonsense? The copter violated the airspace it was fired upon by small arms. Be thankful that they didnt use anti aircraft guns,MANPADS or SAMs.

Who is sovereign leader? PoK is a sovereign country? Since when? Which countries recognise PoK as a sovereign country? Does UN recognise it?

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Rotary wing flying object within 1km of the LoC is the rule. For fixed wing aircraft its 10km.

LoC is a active war zone. So whats this establishing contact nonsense? The copter violated the airspace it was fired upon by small arms. Be thankful that they didnt use anti aircraft guns,MANPADS or SAMs.

Who is sovereign leader? PoK is a sovereign country? Since when? Which countries recognise PoK as a sovereign country? Does UN recognise it?

LOC is technically is not a war zone. Secondly you are required by the law to engage with the violating aircraft before you are able to ascertain it’s motives. At least that’s the international norm. Even RAF were required to do so when a Russian aircraft violated the British airspace. Secondly, he is an elected PM. It is very convenient to bring UN and international community into your arguments when it suits your agenda especially when your own army wouldn’t allow independent observers from UN to assess the conditions of LOC. So let’s not go there.

 

[axis]

If this is true, I am ashamed of Indian army's cheap tricks like this.. but I am not sure if the news is true.. I think it is a news to malign the image of Indian army.

 

[IMMY69]

It's not about spying inside Indian airspace, it's about violating the rules. And there was no way for the Indian army to know who was in the chopper. The question is did it or did it not violate Indian airspace. Indian army says it did. Pakistani media says it didn't.

I rest my case regarding Indian News.

 

[cricketjoshila]

LOC is technically is not a war zone. Secondly you are required by the law to engage with the violating aircraft before you are able to ascertain it’s motives. At least that’s the international norm. Even RAF were required to do so when a Russian aircraft violated the British airspace. Secondly, he is an elected PM. It is very convenient to bring UN and international community into your arguments when it suits your agenda especially when your own army wouldn’t allow independent observers from UN to assess the conditions of LOC. So let’s not go there.

Its a active conflict zone with people dying regularly.

No you are not required to engage the violating aircraft if you do not wish to.

He is not recognised as PM by anyone outside Pakistan. So he isnt a sovereign leader.

The UN has failed to get POK from Pakistan despite the UN resolution.Let them do that before coming to LoC.

 

[slipcatch]

Its a active conflict zone with people dying regularly.

No you are not required to engage the violating aircraft if you do not wish to.

He is not recognised as PM by anyone outside Pakistan. So he isnt a sovereign leader.

The UN has failed to get POK from Pakistan despite the UN resolution.Let them do that before coming to LoC.

Our resident uber extremist Nationalists trying to spin, again, and justify every wrong
that India does.

 

[Pakistanian]

Its a active conflict zone with people dying regularly.

No you are not required to engage the violating aircraft if you do not wish to.

He is not recognised as PM by anyone outside Pakistan. So he isnt a sovereign leader.

The UN has failed to get POK from Pakistan despite the UN resolution.Let them do that before coming to LoC.

He's still a govt official, you can't just try to shoot down a govt officials aircraft. That's a declaration of war.

 

[BlackShadow]

He's still a govt official, you can't just try to shoot down a govt officials aircraft. That's a declaration of war.

True. Let's see what Pakistan do about it.

 

[slipcatch]

True. Let's see what Pakistan do about it.

I hope nothing.

Let's not full fill the wishes of radicalized extremist hindu groups, such as RSS.

 

[Angrez Pakistani]

Its a active conflict zone with people dying regularly.

No you are not required to engage the violating aircraft if you do not wish to.

He is not recognised as PM by anyone outside Pakistan. So he isnt a sovereign leader.

The UN has failed to get POK from Pakistan despite the UN resolution.Let them do that before coming to LoC.

But it’s not a war zone because we are not at war with each. An army is required to engage with a perceived hostile aircraft, they didn’t. And let’s not bring UN into this discussion because it makes you look stupid.

 

[enkidu_]

Looks like playing Holi with Muslim blood of the Valley is not enough, the Hindoos, in the tradition of the ahimsic and treacherous Dogra's, want to extend their forced democratization on the other side as well, even if it means doing a sati out of the semblance of rationalism you still want to somehow portray (as if any nation sends a politician of such stature to spy, using a civilian helicopter on top of that). Perhaps the PM should travel with a cow next time, otherwise it's his own funerals he's aiming at.

The Khan govt. should immediately treat India as an enemy nation in the formal sense of the word.

 

[PakLFC]

Indians believe there soldiers or people killing innocents is divine justice. They think others killing their soldiers is terrorism. Need to remind them repeatedly that Pakistanis are not apologetic, terrified or holi/diwali celebrating Muslim's who will be bullied by them. Pak should shoot back with fierce venom every time they do.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Two sides to every story.

Nevertheless, why does the helicopter want to traverse so close to LoC knowing fully well its dangerous?

Almost asking for Indian army to open fire and then be victimized.

 

[LordJames]

Two sides to every story.

Nevertheless, why does the helicopter want to traverse so close to LoC knowing fully well its dangerous?

Almost asking for Indian army to open fire and then be victimized.

Have you ever been to Kashmir? There are many villages very close to LOC and Helicopter has the right to fly an inch inside of LOC, it wasn't an inch but just making a point.

Why would you open fire on a civilian Helicopter in broad day light? Who thinks that a civilian helicopter in daylight will be spying?

 

[cricketjoshila]

Have you ever been to Kashmir? There are many villages very close to LOC and Helicopter has the right to fly an inch inside of LOC, it wasn't an inch but just making a point.

Why would you open fire on a civilian Helicopter in broad day light? Who thinks that a civilian helicopter in daylight will be spying?

No helicopter is allowed within 1km of the LoC. No fixed wing craft is allowed within 10km of LoC. Thats the rule.

Whats the guarantee that the civilian copter will carry no non civilian.

 

[Dr_Bassim]

Have you ever been to Kashmir? There are many villages very close to LOC and Helicopter has the right to fly an inch inside of LOC, it wasn't an inch but just making a point.

Why would you open fire on a civilian Helicopter in broad day light? Who thinks that a civilian helicopter in daylight will be spying?

If it flies an inch inside line of Control... then it can accidentally fly an inch outside the LoC too.

Not saying it happened but just making the point.

Which is why there is really no need to be traversing so close to danger territory.

 

[Harshu814]

and how can you be sure?

We can be sure coz a soldier made video about it and there was no firing going on....ofc pak media will vomit poison where is the proof? Why dont u go at the border and check where it was flying was where at the border

 

[Harshu814]

As usual mind washed ppl vomiting poison uere that too on fake story