New Delhi:
Pakistan's claims that it had thwarted an attempt by an Indian submarine to enter the country's territorial waters have been rubbished by the government sources on Tuesday. Early in the day, multiple media outlets in Pakistan were provided grainy footage of what the Pakistan Navy claimed was evidence of an Indian submarine entering Pakistani maritime territory.
Speaking to media, the Pakistani navy spokesman said that their navy de-escalated a possible maritime confrontation with India. "In order to maintain peace, the Indian submarine was not targeted which is a reflection of Pakistan's desire for peace," the Pakistani Navy spokesperson was quoted as saying by Geo News.
Meanwhile, the sources closed to the Indian Government said that the footage which was released in reference to Pakistan's claim is an old one from November 2016 and has been deliberately trying to divert the issue of the international community from the core issue of terrorism.
Being asked about the latest claim from the Pakistan military establishment, sources dismissed these reports and said that the media in Pakistan was indulging in fake news and was deluding their population by confusing them about possible Indian military actions.
"If you compare the two videos that Pakistan is putting out (on Indian submarines)... they are identical. We (India) are not in their vicinity, Pakistan is doing this to divert attention," the source added.
Taking to Twitter, the Indian Navy also clarified its stance, saying "The Indian Navy remains deployed as necessary to protect National Maritime Interests. Over the past several days we have witnessed Pakistan indulging in false propoganda and spread of misinformation".
"The Indian Navy does not take cognizance of such propoganda. Our deployments remain undeterred," it added, referring to its joint press conference on February 28.
As was stated during the Jt Press Statement on 28 Feb 19, the #IndianNavy remains deployed as necessary to protect National Maritime Interests. Over the past several days we have witnessed Pakistan indulging in false propoganda and spread of misinformation. 1/2
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) March 5, 2019
Earlier, there were also reports that the claims by the Pakistani government of shooting down India's Sukhoi Jet during the mid-air face-off between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Pakistani Air Force (PAF) jets on February 26 are fake.
Spokesperson for Pakistan's armed forces Major General Asif Gafoor had claimed that two jets of the Indian air force were shot down and three Indian pilots were in Pakistani territory. This number was later revised to one IAF jet down and one Indian pilot arrested. However, claims of the IAF Sukhoi jet shot down were amplified in Pakistani news outlets which continued without correction.
