Pakistan briefs Turkey about Indian jets’ intrusion
- Türkiye
- Anadolu Agency
- Published Date: 12:00 | 26 February 2019
- Modified Date: 11:33 | 26 February 2019
Pakistan's foreign minister on Tuesday said he telephoned his Turkish counterpart to brief him about Indian jets' intrusion into Pakistani airspace.
"Today, I spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister [Mevlut Cavusoglu] and briefed him about the Indian aggression," Shah Mahmood Qureshi told reporters in the capital Islamabad.
Early Tuesday, Indian jets intruded into Pakistan's airspace amid mounting tensions, but "escaped" without causing any casualties, according to a Pakistani army spokesman.
However, India claimed that its air force struck the "biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed" in Pakistan's Balakot and killed "several terrorists."
Tensions between the two countries mounted since Feb. 14 after a Jaish-e-Mohammed-claimed suicide bombing on an army convoy killed over 40 Indian troops, the deadliest single assault on India's forces in three decades in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi blames Pakistan for the attack, charges Islamabad denies.
"The situation in the region after Indian aggression is very critical and we want to take our friends into confidence," Qureshi said, referring to his phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart.
He said Prime Minister Imran Khan will also engage with heads of friendly countries to brief them about the situation.
Qureshi later telephoned U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to brief him on the situation.
The action was meant to woo votes for Indian elections in April and May, but put regional peace and stability at grave risk, said Qureshi, according to a foreign office statement.
"The Indian aggression could also affect the ongoing joint efforts to bringing peace to Afghanistan," Qureshi warned.
He added that Pakistan wants peace in the region but cannot compromise on its sovereignty.
Qureshi called the Indian action "condemnable" and said he hoped the U.S. would play its role.
Earlier, Qureshi also spoke with Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen, secretary general of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, to brief them on the situation.