Pak denies modification of US missiles

Karachi, Sep 29: Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Noman Bashir, has denied reports that Islamabad had illegally modified the Harpoon missiles given to it by the US.

Speaking at an international conference, Admiral Bashir termed Washington's protest regarding the alleged missile modification as 'sheer misunderstanding'.

"We have not and will never violate any convention or principles on that, and all international obligations are being honoured by the Pakistan Navy," The Daily Times quoted Admiral Bashir, as saying.

"The Pakistan Navy is doing its best against pirates and guarding the borders of the country to prevent any Mumbai-like incident," Admiral Bashir said.

It may be noted that recently top US administration and Congressional officials accused Pakistan of illegally modifying American-made missiles to expand its capability to strike land targets, a potential threat to India.

Officials alleged that Islamabad has customized conventional Harpoon antiship missiles, which were provided to it by the Reagan administration as a defensive weapon in the cold war era.

The United States has also accused Pakistan of modifying American-made P-3C aircraft for land-attack missions.

ANI