MEA hands pix supporting charges against PNS Babur

New Delhi, Jun 19 (PTI) The Indian Defence Ministry has
handed over pictures to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)
which would help it substantiate charges that it was PNS Babur
which had indulged in "risky and dangerous" manoeuvres against
INS Godavari that would have jeopardised the safety of its
crew.
Sources said the Defence Ministry has handed over
pictures of the incident which would help it prove that it was
PNS Babur that had flouted relevant regulations on
navigational safety by indulging in "risky" manoeuvres.
India had lodged the protest on Saturday through the High
Commission of Pakistan in New Delhi. The Ministry of External
Affairs in a statement had said the Naval Advisor of Pakistan
High Commission was summoned by the Ministry of Defence and
"our serious concern on this incident was conveyed".
An Indian Navy official said, "Reports of aggression by
INS Godavari are incorrect and based on misinformation." Some
Indian and Pakistan nationals were on board MV Suez.
The war of words erupted just days ahead of the talks
between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan in
Islamabad on June 24-25.
Pakistan had lodged a protest earlier with the Indian
High Commission in Islamabad over what it alleged were
dangerous manoeuvres by INS Godavari which "brushed" its
frigate escorting MV Suez, a Egyptian-owned vessel released by
Somali pirates earlier this week after over USD two million
ransom was paid for its 22-member crew including six Indians
and four Pakistanis.
Pakistan also called the alleged incident on Thursday as
serious.