Drone spotted over High Commission in Islamabad; India seeks probe

A drone was spotted over the Indian High Commission complex in Islamabad last week and Pakistan has been asked to investigate the incident and prevent recurrence of such “breach of security”, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

The MEA confirmed that a drone was spotted at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on 26 June. It said it has taken up the matter officially with Pakistan and has asked for an investigation.

“Drone was spotted over the premises of Indian High Commission in Islamabad on 26 June this year. This has been taken up officially with the Government of Pakistan. We expect Pakistan to investigate the incident and prevent recurrence of such breach of security,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said at the weekly media briefing.

Sources say that the drone was allegedly on a snooping mission and was trying to capture footage of a diplomatic event.

Seen as a big security breach by India, this has come in the backdrop of the Jammu incident where drones dropped explosive material inside the air force station.

Asked about the drone attack on Jammu airbase, Bagchi declined to comment, and only said that the investigation into it is in progress.

According to security officials, it was the first instance of suspected Pakistan-based terrorists deploying unmanned aerial vehicles to strike at vital installations in India.

Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria on Friday said the drone strikes in the Jammu airbase were an “act of terror” that was aimed at targeting key military assets.

Army Chief Gen M.M. Naravane on Thursday said that the easy availability of drones has increased the complexity of security challenges from both state and state-sponsored actors.