Islamabad, Apr 17 (PTI) A senior Pakistani defence expert confirmed on Friday that Islamabad deployed military assets to ensure the safe return of the Iranian delegation after the peace talks with the US.
A delegation led by Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammed Bagher Ghalibaf and comprising Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and other senior officials went back on April 12 after talks with the US team led by Vice President JD Vance in Islamabad.
Air Commodore (retd) Khalid Chisti was asked during a talk show on Geo News TV about the reports that Pakistan Air Force escorted the delegation beyond the borders of Pakistan and right into Iran.
“I have come to know through my sources that Pakistan deployed more than two dozen jets and related systems to prevent any attack on the plane carrying the delegation," said Chisti, who is considered well-connected with the defence establishment.
When asked if it was true that the escort went into the Iranian airspace to ensure the safe return and landing of the plane, he said, "Yes."
"It is unusual, and I never heard about such escorts in my career, that they were escorted beyond our borders," he said, adding that it was a goodwill gesture.
Chisti mentioned the targeting of an Iranian naval ship on its return from India, in which dozens of sailors were killed, saying Pakistan ensured such an incident would not be repeated.
Earlier, several reports appeared on social media about Pakistan Air Force escorting the Iranian delegation for talks, but officially, no details have been provided.