DATE=8/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=INDIA PAKISTAN PLANE (L-ONLY) (CQ)
NUMBER=2-252685
BYLINE=ANJANA PASRICHA
DATELINE=NEW DELHI
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: In the aftermath of India's air attack on a
Pakistani patrol plane, Pakistan fired a missile at
two Indian helicopters today (Wednesday). Reporters
were aboard the Indian aircraft, flying near the site
where the Pakistani plane went down (Tuesday). From
New Delhi, Anjana Pasricha reports Indian troops are
on high alert as the latest incident reignites
tensions between the two countries.
Text: An Indian defense ministry spokesman says
Pakistan fired a surface-to-air missile Wednesday at
two Indian helicopters flying journalists to the crash
site of the downed Pakistani patrol plane in western
Gujarat state.
The helicopters turned back, and no one was hurt.
Indian helicopters have been carrying wreckage from
the Pakistani reconnaissance plane to New Delhi. They
say it was recovered two kilometers inside Indian
territory in western Gujarat state.
At an air force base in the Indian capital, officials
displayed part of the wing, cockpit and cable
hydraulic system of the aircraft. They also showed
some personal documents of the crew members, who were
killed when the plane was shot down.
In answer to Islamabad's charge that the wreckage is
being recovered from its territory, Air Force
spokesman D.N. Ganesh says some of it may have fallen
across the border, as the plane turned toward Pakistan
after it was hit.
No bodies have been recovered so far. Officials say
this could be because much of the wreckage is buried
in marshland.
The plane was shot down over coastal marshlands off
the Arabian Sea, close to a disputed channel called
Sir Creek. Both countries have a large naval presence
in the region.
India's air force chief, A.Y. Tipnis, says the
Pakistani plane could have been scouting possible
invasion routes, as it was equipped with sophisticated
surveillance equipment. He says Indian interceptor
pilots feared it could be armed, because the aircraft
is capable of carrying bombs.
India's foreign ministry spokesman, Raminder Jassal,
says there is no question of apologizing to Pakistan
for the shooting down of the aircraft, as demanded by
Islamabad.
/// JASSAL ACT ///
I think it's a bit curious that Pakistan should
pretend to be the agrieved party in a situation
when its military combat aircraft has intruded
deep into Indian airspace, and has disregarded
all signals for it to land so as its bona-fides
could be verified.
/// END ACT ///
India has also accused Pakistan of repeatedly
violating its airspace in the region, saying there
have been 51 violations since the beginning of the
year.
However, Indian officials are playing down the
incident. India's Finance Minister, Yashwant Sinha,
has described it as an isolated incident. Foreign
Ministry officials say it will not heighten tensions
between the two countries.
India is refusing to let international investigators
examine the wreckage it has recovered. The Foreign
Ministry spokesman, Mr.Jassal, says this is not
necessary because the Indian air force followed
standard operating procedures.
The site where the plane was shot down is about 450
kilometers south west of Kashmir, where India and
Pakistan came close to war this summer after
Pakistani-backed militants captured Indian positions.
Daily artillery duels are still taking place in the
Himalayan region. (Signed)
NEB/AP/WTW
11-Aug-1999 10:58 AM EDT (11-Aug-1999 1458 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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