Pakistan Army shoots down Indian spy drone intruded into terrority

• Drone was downed in Rakhchikri sector of the Line of Control;
• A similar UAV was shot down in same sector in November last
• Concern being expressed over US sale of drones to India; Int'l
• community may insist on a commitment to N. non-testing: FO

RAWALPINDI:  Pakistan Army on Friday claimed to have downed an Indian drone that intruded into Pakistani territory.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the drone was downed in Rakhchikri sector of the Line of Control (LoC).

"Indian quadcopter spying across LOC in Rakhchikri sector shot down by Pak Army shooters. Wreckage held," Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor tweeted.

This is not the first time that Pakistan Army shot down an Indian drone. Last year in November, a similar UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that intruded into Pakistan was shot down in the same sector.

The drone intruded 60 meters into the Pakistani side and crashed near the Aagahi post around 4:45pm, then ISPR spokesperson Gen Asim Bajwa posted on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Pakistan says the right to acquire nuclear technology must be exercised for peaceful purposes within the parameters of the internationally established non-proliferation standards.

This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Nafees Zakaria while responding to queries during his weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday.

The Spokesman said the international community should insist on a stronger commitment to nuclear non-testing.

Referring to the EU-India civil nuclear deal negotiations, he said all agreements bilateral or multi-lateral should follow the international standards of non-proliferation or these would otherwise undermine strategic stability in the region and the credibility of Nuclear Suppliers Group.

To a question regarding the supply of drones by United States to India, Nafees Zakaria said regional stability should be fundamental consideration in any international arms transfer and should be closely examined in the context of multi-lateral export control regime.

Reaffirming Pakistan's unflinching support to the just struggle for freedom by Kashmiri people, the spokesperson said we will continue moral, political and diplomatic support to our Kashmiri brethren.

He said as Kashmiris across the globe observe Black Day today the Indian atrocities and bloodshed continue in Indian Occupied Kashmir.

He said we believe that Kashmir dispute must be resolved in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions.

To a question about China Pakistan Economic Corridor, he said it is a project of development not only for Pakistan but the entire region including the Central Asian states.

He said Pakistan clings to a policy of peaceful and friendly relations with all countries of the world in the light of principles laid down by our founding father Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Referring to the visit of US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Pakistan, the spokesman said United States has acknowledged Pakistan's role and sacrifices in war against terrorism. - NNI