Unprecedented Security Measures for Iranian Delegation's Arrival in Pakistan
Enhanced Security for Peace Talks
Lahore: In a significant move, Pakistan has implemented extensive security protocols to safeguard the aircraft transporting the Iranian delegation for crucial peace discussions with the United States in Islamabad, as reported by an aviation official on Saturday.
Among the security measures was a Pakistani airline aircraft that flew in tandem with the Iranian plane, which had its transponder deactivated.
The Iranian delegation, headed by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, arrived in Islamabad early Saturday morning to engage in the Islamabad Talks.
According to the Pakistani aviation official, the Pakistan Air Force executed heightened security precautions to prepare for any potential incidents while the Iranian delegation's aircraft was airborne.
The Iranian delegation's flight originated from Gorgan Airport, situated approximately 400 kilometers from Tehran along the Caspian Sea coast.
Air traffic controllers in Pakistan were notified beforehand that the aircraft's transponder would remain off. This meant that the plane would not be visible on secondary radar systems typically used for tracking commercial flights, although it could still be monitored on primary military radar, appearing merely as a moving dot without identifying details.
A key aspect of the protective strategy involved a Pakistani airline aircraft flying alongside the Iranian plane, with its transponder activated.
Global radar systems were able to track the Pakistani Airbus A321 on this route, while the Iranian Airbus A300 discreetly accompanied it with its transponder turned off. After escorting the Iranian aircraft to Nur Khan Airbase, the Pakistani plane returned to Islamabad Airport.
The official described this arrangement as a tactic for air mobility deception.
Additionally, the Pakistan Air Force executed further security measures. The Iranian aircraft traversed Afghanistan for a considerable time before entering Pakistani airspace through Chaman.
Throughout the journey, from the conflict zone in the Gulf to Afghanistan and finally to Islamabad, a comprehensive aerial surveillance and protection system was in place, involving AWACS and fighter jets.
The US delegation, led by Vice President J D Vance, and the Iranian delegation are currently in Pakistan for these critical peace negotiations, occurring just four days after both sides declared a two-week ceasefire following nearly five weeks of conflict.