Pakistan demands joint probe into 'accidental' missile fired by India
People
work around what Pakistani security sources say is the remains of a
missile fired into Pakistan from India, near Mian Channu, Pakistan, on
March 9.
Pakistan on Saturday demanded a joint probe into a missile India said it accidentally fired into its territory, rejecting New Delhi's decision to hold an internal inquiry into the incident and calling on the international community to play a role.
"Such
a serious matter cannot be addressed with the simplistic explanation
proffered by the Indian authorities," Pakistan's foreign office said in a
statement.
"Pakistan demands a joint probe to accurately establish the facts surrounding the incident," it added.
India
said on Friday it had accidentally fired the missile into Pakistan this
week because of a "technical malfunction" during routine maintenance,
giving its version of events after Pakistan warned New Delhi of
"unpleasant consequences."
The
international community must play its "due role in promoting stability
in a nuclearized environment," the foreign office statement from
Pakistan said, warning of "dire consequences" if any misinterpretation
by one of the sides lead to an escalation.
Military
experts have in the past warned of the risk of accidents or
miscalculations by the nuclear-armed neighbors, which have fought three
wars and engaged in numerous smaller armed clashes, usually over the
disputed territory of Kashmir.
Tensions
have eased in recent months, and the incident, which may have been the
first of its kind, immediately raised questions about safety mechanisms.
Pakistan
demanded clarifications from India over its safety mechanism to prevent
accidental missile launches, and whether it was appropriately handled
by its armed forces.
According
to the US-based Arms Control Association, the missile's range is
between 300 kilometers (186 miles) and 500 kilometers (310 miles),
making it capable of hitting Islamabad from a northern Indian launch
pad.
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