DG ISPR calls political statement about Abhinandan release an attempt to ‘distort history’ | The Express Tribune

Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations Major-General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday said a political statement given earlier about the release of India Air Force pilot Abhinandan was an attempt to distort history.

The statement was given on the floor of the National Assembly by senior PML-N leader Ayaz Sadiq. The military spokesperson said the ‘single-point agenda’ presser was being conducted to ‘correct the record’.

“A statement was given yesterday which tried to distort the history of some issues related with national security,” said the military spokesperson.

Referring to the series of events which led to the rare aerial skirmish between the air forces of Pakistan and India, the military spokesperson said after the suicide attack on Indian troops in occupied Kashmir’s Pulwama area, “India showed aggression against Pakistan and violated all international laws on February 26, 2019, in which it was not only defeated but also humiliated around the world”.

He further said that the armed forces of Pakistan showed an alert and timely response and foiled the enemy plans. “Enemy aircraft that had come to bomb Pakistan escaped after dropping their payload on mountains in panic after the appearance of our Shaheens [PAF]“.

“Not only did the whole world acknowledge Pakistan’s victory, but India put the onus of its defeat on non-availability of Rafale jets,” the major general stated.

“We gave them a bloody nose and it is still hurting.”

The spokesperson added that the confusion amongst the Indian military was evident when it shot down its own aircraft. “Want to make it clear, for the purpose of correcting the history, that Pakistan first demonstrated its capability and resolve and the actions taken on Feb 27 were from the position of strength,” the DG ISPR maintained.

Distorting the release of Abhinandan and relating it with something else is not only unfortunate but also misleading, the military spokesperson observed. “It makes Pakistan’s victory over India controversial which is not acceptable to any Pakistani,” he added.

According to the DG ISPR, these negative statements directly influence national security. “The enemy is taking full advantage of these statements in the information domain, which all of you can see in the Indian media,” Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar noted.

These statements are being used to downplay India’s defeat, he said, adding that “We all have to act responsibly in times when enemies of Pakistan have imposed a hybrid war on the country”.

“Pakistan’s armed forces are not only aware of the internal and external challenges, but also ready to face them. It is aware of the regional security situation as well.”

With the help of the nation, the army will defeat any conspiracy against Pakistan, asserted Maj Gen Iftikhar, adding that any aggression will be given a befitting response.