India trashes Islamabad claim of submarine bid to enter Pakistan waters

The Indian Navy on Tuesday dismissed as “false propaganda” Pakistan’s claim that it had thwarted an attempt by an Indian submarine to enter that country’s territorial water.

In a statement, Pakistan Navy claimed in Islamabad that it used specialised skills to ward off the Indian submarine from entering Pakistani waters.

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The Indian Navy said, “We have witnessed Pakistan indulging in false propaganda and spread of misinformation. The Indian Navy does not take cognizance of such propaganda. Our deployments remain undeterred.”

In a brief statement, it said the Navy remains deployed as necessary to protect national maritime interests.

According to sources, the video dates back to November 18, 2016, and Pakistan has photoshopped the time stamp on it to make it appear like recent footage. They said all major powers with presence in Indian Ocean knew that no Indian naval asset was in the vicinity of Pakistani waters.

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Sources also questioned Pakistan’s intention, as the neighbouring country has said that India and Israel are planning a joint offensive on it. “This is absolute propaganda, and is an effort to drive a wedge between India and the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) countries,” a source said.

The source also said that Pakistan is trying to deflect attention and has made false claims of downing an IAF Sukhoi jet. “If that is the case, where is the fuselage? Why aren’t they showing it? And where is the Indian pilot and his mortal remains, if their claim is true,” the source asked.

Sources also said that Pakistan had tried to carry out similar subterfuge earlier as well, and has been saying that the AMRAAM missile has been sold to Taiwan — a claim Taiwan has denied. Sources said the Imran Khan government is trying to keep Pakistani people deluded and in a heightened sense of fear, so that people do not ask questions of the government.

A source said Islamabad is trying very hard to get other foreign leaders to mediate between India and Pakistan, but none of them have offered mediation. “In fact, all of them have been told that we are not looking for any mediation. They have been told they should tell Pakistan to act against terrorism on their soil,” the source said.

Sources also pointed out that Islamabad’s record on sheltering terrorists is well-known, as was seen in case of Mullah Omar and Osama bin Laden.