Pakistan Army rubbishes Indian claims of infiltration of COVID-19 patients into IOK

ISPR advises Indian leadership to focus on addressing internal issues arising out of corona lockdown

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army has rebuked the Indian Army's "delusional" allegations of infiltration of coronavirus patients into Occupied Kashmir, suggesting the neighbouring country to focus on resolving internal issues arising out of COVID-19 lockdown.

In an interview with BBC Urdu on Monday, the Indian military's senior commander deputed in the disputed valley had alleged that the Pakistan Army taking advantage of COVID-19 pandemic, is trying to infiltrate coronavirus infected patients into Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) and committing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).

However, when asked about the evidence of the infiltration by the Pakistan military, Lt General Baggavalli Somashekar refused to do so, saying his claims are based on "intelligence reports".

"Indian 15 Corps Comd interview with BBC - 13 Apr 2020: Indian insinuations about infiltration and CFVs by Pakistan are not only baseless but are also patently designed to divert global and domestic attention from the unending fiasco post - 5 Aug 2019," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a tweet on Tuesday.

Indian 15 Corps Comd interview with BBC - 13 Apr 2020: Indian insinuations about infiltration and CFVs by Pakistan are not only baseless but are also patently designed to divert global and domestic attention from the unending fiasco post - 5 Aug 2019... (1/3)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) April 14, 2020

"No less delusional are the allegations about Pakistan infiltrating Covid-affected individuals into IOJK," the military's media wing said in another tweet.

Pakistan has always extended unhindered UNMOGIP access to the LoC, he further said. "We will continue to do that most transparently."

No less delusional are the allegations about Pakistan infiltrating Covid-affected individuals into IOJK. Pakistan has always extended unhindered UNMOGIP access to CFV sites. We will continue to do that most transparently... (2/3)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) April 14, 2020

The ISPR also advised the Indian leadership to focus on addressing the internal issues "created not only by COVID-19 mishandling but also by the tragedy unfolding in IOJK for years on end".

Indian leadership will be well advised to focus on addressing the internal mess, created not only by Covid-19 mishandling but also by the tragedy unfolding in IOJK for years on end. (3/3)

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) April 14, 2020

Despite the countrywide lockdown, India is witnessing a surge in the cases of contagion. The country crossed the 10,000 mark on Monday. According to data compiled by the US-based Johns Hopkins University, India has so far reported 10,453 COVID-19 cases and 358 deaths.