
Kartarpur Corridor shut indefinitely amid rising tensions with Pakistan
Vikram Misri
on Friday said that the
Kartarpur Corridor
has been shut indefinitely in the wake of heightened tension along the
Line of Control
.
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"In view of the exsisting security senerio, the services of the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor have been suspended until further directions," Misri said.
"Pakistani side targeted places of worship with a particular design; it is a new low even for Pakistan," the Foreign Secretary added.
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Misri added that Pakistan had targeted Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to military establishments.
"These provocative and escalatory actions taken by Pakistan last night were targeted at Indian cities and civilian infrastructure in addition to military establishments. Indian armed forces responded proportionately, adequately, and responsibly... The official and blatantly farsical denial of these attacks that Pakistan carried out, by the Pakistani state machinery is another example of their duplicity and the new depths, they are plumbing to.," Misry said.
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In a press briefing over the developments of the escalation with Pakitsan, the
Indian government
said that on the night of May 7 and 8, the Pakistani army violated Indian airspace several times over the entire western border with the intention of targeting
military infrastructure
.
"The Pakistani army also fired heavy-calibre weapons along the Line of Control. Around 300 to 400 drones were used to attempt infiltration at 36 locations," said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during the press conference.
Indian armed forces are analysing the drones and as per initial reports, these were Turkey's SONGAR drones, said Col Qureshi.
A Pakistani UAV also tried to attack the military station in Bhatinda, but the attempt was thwarted, she added.
The Indian armed forces shot down many of these drones using kinetic and non-kinetic means.
"The possible purpose of such large-scale aerial intrusions was to test air defence systems and collect intelligence. Forensic investigation of the wreckage of the drones is being done. Initial reports suggest that they are Turkish Asisguard Songar drones..."
From Leh to Sir Creek, the Pakistani army used drones for infiltration, said the Indian government.
India hits back
India gave a befitting reply to Pakistan's attempts to violate India's airspace.
"In response to Pakistan's attack, drones were launched against four Pakistani military installations. One of these drones was able to destroy an AD (air defence) radar. Pakistan, however, used heavy artillery and drones to conduct attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, Poonch, Rajouri, Akhnoor, etc., injuring some of the Indian soldiers," Col Qureshi said.
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