India rubbishes 'bogus' Pakistani claim of repelling submarine

Indian Navy chief says there was no submarine deployed in the area of Pakistani claims

India on Friday dismissed Pakistan's assertion that it had tracked and subsequently repelled an Indian submarine from entering the country’s territorial waters near Karachi last month.

"There was no submarine deployed in the area of Pakistani claims,” Indian Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba said.



“As far as repelling of submarine of any nation goes, it is not an easy task. The claim made by Pakistan Navy was totally bogus," he said, while adding that India would continue to deploy submarines as per “operational necessity”, The Indian Express reported. Lanba was addressing an annual media conference on India's Navy Day.

Last month, Pakistan Navy had reportedly prevented an Indian submarine from entering the country’s territorial waters.“Pakistan Navy once again proved its vigilance and operational competence by detecting and blocking an Indian submarine from entering in Pakistani waters,” a statement issued in the wake of the development read.



“The unsuspecting submarine was detected and localised south of Pakistani coast on November 16. Thereafter, despite submarine’s desperate efforts to escape detection, it was continuously tracked by Pakistan Navy  units and pushed well clear of our waters.

"This thriving encounter of detecting Indian Navy Submarine at high seas and its continued surveillance not only speaks very high of the navy’s anti submarine warfare capability but also reflects the commitment and resolve to defend the sea frontiers, the statement went on to read.

This article originally appeared on The Indian Express.