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16 July 2015
- From the section India
Pakistan’s military says it has shot down an Indian spy drone in the disputed region of Kashmir.
The incident come days after a meeting between Indian PM Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Russia last week.
India’s army and air force have denied that any of their drones had been shot down or crashed, reports said.
Kashmir, claimed by both countries in its entirety, has been a flashpoint for more than 60 years.
A ceasefire agreed in 2003 remains in place, but the neighbours often accuse each other of violating it.
“An Indian spy drone was shot down by Pakistani troops which intruded into Pakistan along [the de facto border that divides the region] near Bhimber today. The spy drone is used for aerial photography,” a statement from the Pakistani military said on Wednesday.
Pakistan also summoned the Indian envoy in Islamabad over the incident.
But a spokesperson of the Indian army denied the report.
“Some reports of a drone crash in PoK [Pakistan-controlled Kashmir] are being referred to. No drone or UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] crash of the Indian Army has taken place,” the spokesperson told the Press Trust of India news agency.
An air force spokesperson also denied that any of their drones had been brought down.
The incident comes days after Mr Modi accepted an invitation from Mr Sharif to attend a regional summit in Islamabad next year. signalling a new thaw in a strained relationship. This will be Mr Modi’s first visit to Pakistan after he took power last year.
On the eve of the talks, India accused Pakistan of killing a border guard in a firing incident along the de facto border that divides the disputed region of Kashmir.
