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Monday, October 24, 2011
Pakistan releases Indian copter that crossed borderISLAMABAD/LAHORE: Pakistan released an Indian army helicopter just hours after it strayed across the border between the two countries on Sunday, officials said. The Pakistani military had forced the Indian helicopter to land and detained four Indian army officials after it intruded into its territory in Olding sector in northern Skardu region. “The helicopter and four officers on board returned at around 5.30pm after a contact between the director-general military operations of the two countries on a hotline,” Pakistani military spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas said. The Indian defence ministry said the helicopter had returned to Kargil in Indian-ruled Kashmir. “The issue has been resolved,” the ministry spokesman, Sitanshu Kar, said. Indian officials said the helicopter strayed into Pakistani territory because of bad weather. Meanwhile, India has appreciated Pakistan’s role in speedy return of Indian army officers and the helicopter. In response to a question on the speedy return of Indian army officers and the helicopter that had strayed into Pakistan due to inclement weather on Sunday, the official spokesperson said, “We are relieved that our officers and helicopter are back in India. We greatly appreciate the manner in which Pakistan worked with us in resolving the matter.” reuters/daily times monitor
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk