IAF denies reports of Pak jets flying near Siachen

The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday categorically ruled out any air space violation by the Pakistan Air Force, which was reportedly flying their combat jets near the Siachen Glacier.

The IAF response came following reports in Pakistani media that Mirage-5 fighter jets took off from the Quadri Airbase in Skardu and flew near Siachen. Reports stated that Pakistan Air Force (PAF) chief, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, was on board one of the jets. The air chief was visiting the forward airbase.
“There was no airspace violation by the PAF,” said an IAF spokesperson here.

A source said fighter jets do not fly over the glacier, which is known as “weapon-free area.” Neither India nor Pakistan takes the risk of flying their jets on the glacier as that would expose the aircraft to enemy fire.

At an altitude of 20,000 feet, Siachen Glacier is the world’s highest battlefield, dominated by India since 1984. The glacier is a bone of contention between the two neighbours.

The vexed issue has its roots in Indo-Pak history as neither the Karachi agreement of 1949 nor the Shimla agreement of 1972 delineated the glacier beyond a point called NJ 9842.

The Indian Army insists on clear demarcation of the actual ground position line (AGPL) and its global verification. The two countries have held 12 rounds of talks on institutionalising the AGPL, but the discussions have remained futile so far.

The incident is unlikely to be a regular combat exercise because for exercises close to the border, both nations inform each other. Another source said the air headquarters has received no such information.
Located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Skardu does not house a permanent PAF squadron.

But combat flying does take place from time to time. Talking to the Pakistan media at the air base, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman said no situation was difficult for the PAF.

“The nation (Pakistan) should not worry about the enemy’s statements. We are peace loving people but are ready to face all kinds of challenges,” he said.

All forward operating bases of the PAF have reportedly been made operational in response to Indian “threats”, reports suggested.

Recently, chief of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa, had asked his men “to be prepared for operations with the present holdings, at a very short notice”.