DATE=8/11/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=PAKISTAN - INDIA (L)
NUMBER=2-252692
BYLINE=AYAZ GUL
DATELINE=ISLAMABAD
INTERNET=YES
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: Pakistan says it has fired a missile at two
Indian aircraft, describing them as war planes
approaching the site of a downed Pakistani plane.
Indian fighter jets shot down the Pakistani anti-
submarine aircraft Tuesday, killing all 16 people
aboard. India says its forces acted when the
Pakistani plane strayed into Indian airspace. Ayaz
Gul reports from Islamabad on today's (Wednesday's)
developments.
TEXT: A Pakistan military spokesman [Rashid Qureshi]
says his forces fired a surface-to-air missile at
Indian aircraft approaching the crash site. He says
the action forced the Indian planes to turn back.
The incident took place a day after India shot down a
Pakistani anti-submarine plane with 16 people on
board. Pakistan has condemned the incident as a
blatant and unprovoked act by India.
Pakistan's information minister, Mushahid Hussain,
says his country's political and military leadership
has put Pakistan's armed forces on high alert.
/// HUSSAIN ACT ///
Pakistan will be fully justified in making an
appropriate response in self defense. All
provocation and violations of Pakistan's
airspace would be considered as hostile acts and
given a befitting response. The armed forces
have been directed to take all necessary
measures in this regard.
/// END ACT ///
India says its jets shot down the Pakistani plane
Tuesday morning when it strayed into Indian airspace
on a spying mission. But Pakistan disputes India's
version, and says the plane was on a routine training
flight over its own territory when it was shot down.
Pakistan accused India of cold-blooded murder and is
calling on New Delhi to apologize for the incident.
The renewed tensions between India and Pakistan come
just weeks after the two countries went to the brink
of their fourth war in 52 years, over the disputed
Kashmir region.
The international community, led by the United States,
is expressing concern about increasing tensions
between India and Pakistan - especially since both
countries conducted nuclear tests last year.
(Signed)
NEB/AG/WTW
11-Aug-1999 14:30 PM EDT (11-Aug-1999 1830 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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