WEB DESK
The helicopter that violated Indian airspace in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch Sunday was reportedly carrying the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Raja Farooq Haider Khan.
The helicopter, carrying the PoK PM violated the airspace around 12:10 pm.
According to reports, the chopper hovered over the Indian airspace in Gulpur sector for sometime before turning back. Three forward posts fired small arms after noticing the airspace violation.
Although Mr Khan’s presence in the aircraft was initially reported by the Pakistani media, the official confirmed it. “The Indian Army fired to show that Pakistan violated their airspace, but when the firing took place, we were within our own airspace,” he said.
According to Pakistani media channel Aaj News, the so-called “Prime Minister” of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was preparing to land in the Tarori area when the Indian Army began shooting. The incident is likely to further strain ties between the two countries.
Kashmir’s prime minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan was travelling in this chopper when Indain Forces Open Fire… These Pics From My Home Town Haveli LOC Pir Panjal Area Poonch Kashmir.#AJK #kashmir #farooqHaider #Indianfiring #kashmiri #Rajafarooqhaider pic.twitter.com/Wv6n0o547R
— Haider Sherazi (@ImHaiderSherazi) September 30, 2018
The Pakistani helicopter was first spotted in Indian airspace at 12:13 pm, sources said.
In a video apparently shot by a witness, a white Pakistani helicopter was seen flying high the side of a Poonch hill amid sounds of constant gunfire — an indication that the army was trying to shoot it down.
Mr Khan insisted that his helicopter was unarmed, but called for calm. “We do not want any war hysteria in this region,” he said.
According to norms recognised by both India and Pakistan, helicopters are not supposed to come within one kilometre of the Line of Control or LoC, and fixed-wing aircraft within 10 km. In February, a Pakistani helicopter was seen flying 300 metres from the LoC.