Filipinos traveling to Pakistan cautioned amid Indian air strikes

MANILA, May 8 ------ All Filipinos traveling to and within Pakistan were told to exercise caution and avoid areas near the India-Pakistan border as New Delhi mounts a missile attack in several Pakistani-administered areas in Kashmir. India said it launched the air strikes called “Operation Sindoor” in response to the terror attack that killed 26 in the Indian-administered town of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir last April 22. 

The Philippines Embassy in Islamabad said Filipinos should avoid travel to Bhimber City, Azad Kashmir, the Sialkot Line of Control and anywhere within five miles of the India-Pakistan border. Filipinos residing in these areas are advised to be vigilant and avoid the border zones and public gathering sites. The embassy also reminded these nationals to remain indoors, monitor official announcements from local authorities, maintain regular contact with employers and community coordinators, as well as to prepare for emergency in case of evacuation. 

Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza said there are around 30 Filipinos, mostly wives/families of Pakistani nationals, residing in Sialkot, situated some 20 km. from the Jammu border. There are 3,151 Filipinos in Pakistan and an estimated 3,350 in India. No Filipino was reported affected or hurt by the strikes, Daza said. 

The Indian Ministry of Defence confirmed that it targeted nine sites and hit “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It said its air strikes were ”focused, measured, and non-escalatory” in nature and that no Pakistani military facilities were struck. 

Source: pna.gov.ph