Allowing Pak copters in no fly zone, no defence risk Sunday, October 16 2005 18:25 Hrs (IST) - World Time -
Manesar (Haryana):
The Center today (Oct 16, 2005) ruled out the possibility of any compromise with the country's defence due to its decision to allow Pakistan to fly its helicopters in the `peace time no-fly zone' along the Line of Control (LoC).
"It should be seen as a humanitarian gesture. Whether it is Pakistan, India, Russia or America, all countries should help each other during these crises," Union Home Minister
Shivraj Patil told reporters after the NSG's 21st Raising Day celebrations here.
He said there was no reason to believe that India's permission to Pakistani helicopters to fly in the no-fly zone along the LoC could become a defence risk.
"What is there in it to be so scared of," Patil said.
India yesterday said it was ready to allow Pakistan fly helicopters in the 'peace time no-fly zone' along the LoC to help it in quake relief operations as per Islamabad's request
but on a case-to-case basis.