Pakistan Navy detects Indian submarine, foils intrusion into its waters

KARACHI: Pakistan Navy detected an Indian submarine and successfully foiled its attempts to intrude into Pakistani waters, a statement by a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

According to the spokesperson, the Pakistan Navy detected an Indian submarine and stopped it from entering Pakistani waters. By doing so, the Pakistan Navy foiled every attempt of the Indian submarine to avoid being detected, dealing a setback to India in the seas. 

"The Submarine was detected and localised in Pakistan’s maritime zone on March 4, 2019," mentioned the statement.

"The submarine is being kept under watch along with monitoring of other Indian Navy units. The detected submarine is one of the latest submarines of Indian Navy," added the statement.

This was the second occasion since November 2016 when the Pakistan Navy detected an Indian submarine trying to wade into Pakistani waters. Previously on Nov 14, 2016, Pakistan Navy caught Indian Navy submarine operating in Pakistani Exclusive Economic Zone.

"In order to maintain peace, the Indian submarine was not targeted which is a reflection of Pakistan's desire for peace," the statement said.

"Learning a lesson from this incident, India too should show its inclination towards peace," it added.

Pakistan Navy used its specialised skills to ward off the submarine which was equipped with the latest technology. The achievement is an evidence of Pakistan Navy's capabilities and shows it is ready and vigilant at all times to defend the country's maritime frontiers, the spokesperson said.

Pakistan Navy is capable of giving a jaw-breaking response to any aggression, the statement added.

The latest intrusion comes as tensions between India and Pakistan are at an all-time high following Indian incursions into Pakistani airspace and subsequent downing of two Indian aircraft by Pakistan Air Force.

Indian warplanes intruded into Pakistani airspace in the dark of night on February 26, however, they turned back soon after Pakistan Air Force scrambled its fighter jets. 

On February 27, Pakistan Air Force shot down two Indian warplanes in the Pakistani airspace and captured an Indian pilot who was then released on March 1 as a peace gesture. The move to release Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman  was announced Thursday by Prime Minister Imran Khan at a joint session of Parliament as a gesture of peace.

Pakistan Army’s alertness prevented possible Indian attack: Qureshi

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that the Pakistan Army's alertness prevented possible Indian attack at five sites inside the country.

"The armed forces were alert, our intelligence was confirmed, diplomatic and military contacts played a role in stopping the attack. The civilian and military leadership was in contact [over the matter]," the foreign minister said in Geo News programme Capital Talk.

"The current crisis revolves around Kashmir issue. Pakistan is reviewing the Indian dossier which it received after 12 days. Pakistan will respond to it after due review," he said.

The foreign minister added that had the previous government implemented National Action Plan in its due spirit, Pakistan would not have been in the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force. "Time has come to do what is in Pakistan's interests," he said. "We have to make a decision with political consensus. The international community has got the message that Pakistan wants peace."