A drone was spotted over the Indian high commission complex in the Pakistani capital on June 26, prompting New Delhi to formally protest to Islamabad over the security breach and to seek an investigation. The drone was seen within the complex at a time when an event was being held at the mission, people familiar with developments said on condition of anonymity on Friday.
The matter of this major security breach in the diplomatic enclave in Islamabad was taken up through diplomatic channels by the High Commission officials with the Pakistan Foreign Office. A strong protest was lodged. This is the first time that such an incident has been witnessed and reported. Headquarters in New Delhi was briefed about the incident. “A drone was spotted over the premises of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on June 26. This has been taken up officially with Pakistan. We expect Pakistan to investigate the incident and prevent recurrence of such breach of security,” the Ministry of External Affairs said. The technology used in Sunday’s drone strikes on the Indian Air Force base indicate “state support” and the involvement of Pakistan-based terror groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, Lieutenant General DP Pandey, Corps Commander of the 15 Corps in Srinagar said. The security breach by the drone at the high-security Indian High Commission inside Pakistani soil is likely to worsen the situation.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry described the Indian statement about the drone being spotted over the Indian mission as a “preposterous” claim and said “no proof whatsoever has been shared with Pakistan to substantiate these allegations”.
