<\/p>\n
Political leadership condemn cowardly act; DG ISPR says eight people slain, 35 injured; Trump calls India actions a “shame”; PM summons NSC meeting.<\/p>\n
The Pakistani military has brought down five Indian jets in retaliation for late-night strikes launched by its neighbouring country at six sites, including in Punjab\u2019s Sialkot and Bahawalpur, as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n
The military confrontation between Pakistan and India began a little after 1am on Wednesday with the Indian air strikes when the neighbouring country launched what it termed \u201cOperation Sindoor\u201d. Soon after reports emerged, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the strikes, saying that India had carried out the attacks from within its airspace. The military spokesperson provided an updated damage assessment of the scenario at around 4am, reporting the death of eight civilians.<\/p>\n
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the downing of two Indian jets around 2:45am after Pakistan launched its swift response, while the confirmation for the third plane, a Rafale aircraft, came an hour later. Confirmation of the fourth and fifth Indian jets being taken down came after 5am by Tarar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.<\/p>\n
Talking to the media around 7am at the information ministry, Tarar asserted that India had waved a white flag at the Line of Control and \u201caccepted defeat\u201d. The minister said this as footage of a white flag played in the background.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have been forced to wave a white flag,\u201d Tarar said. PTV News<\/em> also shared footage<\/a> of a white flag hoisted seemingly on top of a structure.<\/p>\n Tarar further said that \u201cseveral\u201d posts of the Indian army across the border had been destroyed by the armed forces.<\/p>\n He recalled that Pakistan had called for a probe<\/a> into the Pahalgam attack but India \u201cconducted this attack and then fled from it\u201d. \u201cIt is a cause of shame for them that they targeted innocent labourers and citizens,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n According to the minister, Pakistan did not target any civilians in India in its retaliatory actions.<\/p>\n Key highlights:<\/strong><\/p>\n In an interview to Bloomberg TV<\/em>, Defence Minister Asif said that Pakistan has shot down five Indian planes and multiple unmanned aerial vehicles, with checkposts destroyed along the Line of Control.<\/p>\n Similarly, appearing on Geo News<\/em> at 5:09am, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar also said that Pakistan had downed five Indian jets.<\/p>\n \u201c[We shot jets down] in Akhnoor, Ambala, Barnala and in Jammu. We also shot down quadcopters and a big drone,\u201d he stated. \u201cIt is an ongoing situation, we need to see what India does.\u201d<\/p>\n The military, Reuters<\/em> reported, said the five Indian fighter jets included three Rafale planes and one each of Russian planes, a Su-30 and MiG-29.<\/p>\n A spokesman for the military told Reuters<\/em> Indian planes were only targeted after they attacked Pakistan.<\/p>\n There was no word from India on the downing of the jets, which would be the most serious loss for the Indian military in decades and risked further escalation.<\/p>\n The Rafale fighter is a new addition to India\u2019s military, part of a plan to modernise its military, reduce dependence on Russian-origin equipment, and boost domestic weapons production to supply forces deployed along two contentious borders with Pakistan and China.<\/p>\n Before the clash, the Indian Air Force operated 36 Rafale fighters, while the navy\u2019s aircraft fleet mainly comprises Russian MiG-29 jets.<\/p>\n India signed a deal with France\u2019s Dassault Aviation on Monday to buy another 26 Rafale fighter aircraft worth 630 billion rupees ($7.4bn) for its navy in late April.<\/p>\n Tarar earlier said that Pakistan\u2019s military response was ongoing but did not share operational details. \u201cWe shot down two Indian planes and we are responding to Indian aggression right now as we speak,\u201d he told British broadcaster Sky News<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cIndian media, in a state of frenzy, is continuously running fabricated stories about losses of Pakistani Air Force and false claims of damaged aircraft,\u201d PTV<\/em> had said, stating, \u201cNo Pakistan Air Force aircraft has sustained any damage.\u201d<\/p>\n The prime minister has summoned<\/a> a meeting of the National Security Committee at 10am.<\/p>\n In the wake of the attack, Punjab has shut all educational institutions across the province today, and all exams scheduled for today have been postponed, according to a notification from the Punjab Higher Education Department.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, examinations scheduled by [or] on behalf of International Examining bodies shall not be affected by this postponement,\u201d the notification said.<\/p>\n The strikes come as tensions have been escalating intensely between the two countries in the wake of a militant attack in occupied Kashmir\u2019s Pahalgam.<\/p>\n In a short press briefing, DG Chaudhry provided the stats from the damage assessment: \u201cA total of 24 impacts have been reported by India, with different weapons, in six localities. In these six localities, eight Pakistanis have been slain, 35 have been injured and two are missing, based on our damage assessment.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIn [Bahwalpur\u2019s] Ahmedpur East, Subhan mosque was targeted,\u201d he added. \u201cHere, there were four strikes and five innocent Pakistanis were slain, including a three-year-old girl. Thirty-one civilians have been injured, including 25 men and six women.\u201d<\/p>\n He said one mosque was destroyed, while four quarters in which people were living were also destroyed.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Muzaffarabad, Bilal mosque was targeted. There were seven impacts, in which one girl has been injured and a mosque was destroyed,\u201d the DG ISPR said.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Kotli, Abbat Mosque was targeted. There were five impacts and two people died, including a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. A woman and her daughter are both injured,\u201d DG Chaudhry added.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Muridke, Umalkura Mosque was targeted and there were four strikes. One man has been slain, while another is injured. Two people are missing,\u201d he said. \u201cA mosque has been destroyed and potters have sustained economic damages,\u201d DG Chaudhry added.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Sialkot district, in the village of Kotki Lohara, there were two strikes,\u201d he added. \u201cOne missile misfired, while one fell in an open field. There was no damage.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cNear Shakargarh, there were two strikes with no damage. There was minor damage to a dispensary,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The DG ISPR said that the \u201cunprovoked, cowardly attack\u201d will be met with a befitting response. \u201cWe are giving it and will continue to give it,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n A statement by state broadcaster PTV News<\/em>, quoting security sources, said: \u201cPakistani forces are giving a befitting reply to Indian aggression. According to initial reports, the Pakistan Air Force has shot down two enemy aircraft. All Pakistani Air Force aircraft are safe. Pakistan armed forces are giving a befitting reply to the enemy\u2019s aggression.\u201d<\/p>\n PTV<\/em> reported that Pakistan had also destroyed an Indian brigade headquarters in a retaliatory strike. It did not specify the location of the retaliatory strike.<\/p>\n A post from the broadcaster said that India is being given a \u201cbefitting response\u201d at multiple locations.<\/p>\n PTV<\/em> additionally reported that an Indian checkpost in the Dudhnial sector along the Line of Control was destroyed in a missile strike.<\/p>\n \u201cPak forces are responding to the naked aggression of the enemy,\u201d the broadcaster said, citing security sources.<\/p>\n Appearing on British broadcaster Sky News<\/em> around 2:45am, Tarar said Pakistan\u2019s response is ongoing, but did not share operational details.<\/p>\n When asked about the potential for escalation, Tarar said it \u201cis an evolving situation\u201d.<\/p>\n He reiterated that Pakistan was expecting an attack by India and said that \u201cthey would be the aggressor\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe offered an investigation into the whole Pahalgam episode, we wanted a fair and transparent investigation. But \u2026 India, without evidence, has targeted civilians, women and children. India had no right to do that,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cAs the minister for information, I have occupied a seat of responsibility,\u201d Tarar said. \u201cI have taken an oath and I will give you verified information.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked why India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack, Tarar replied: \u201cThis area (Pahalgam) is a good 200km from the LoC. The FIR was filed in 10 minutes, but police arrived after one and a half hours.\u201d<\/p>\n Tarar accused India of \u201crunning away\u201d from an investigation into the Pahalgam attack and accused India\u2019s governing party of \u201cwanting a reason to attack Pakistan\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a high morale and we will respond to Indian aggression,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia has no evidence whatsoever to link Pakistan to this incident,\u201d he stressed. \u201cIndia has attacked civilians \u2026 without any justifiable cause and because we have the right to self-defence, we will defend our country, we will respond.\u201d<\/p>\n Questioned about terrorists found hiding in Pakistan in the past, including Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden, Tarar rejected the allegations and reiterated that Pakistan was facing terrorist attacks \u201cevery second week\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re talking about the history \u2014 the Soviet invasion, the cold war \u2014 then that\u2019s a different story,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Tarar also maintained that the US had thanked Pakistan for its efforts in the war against terrorism and \u201cfor the good fight we are fighting\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia will now face Pakistan\u2019s very fierce response, because we are never the aggressors,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Referring to Pahalgam, Tarar said India \u201cis questioning its own government\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have no evidence, they have no facts and they ran away from the investigation which Pakistan had offered,\u201d the minister added. They attacked our civilians, they attacked our mosque today, they attacked five localities. Pakistan will now respond and will respond very, very effectively.<\/p>\n \u201cOur desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n When asked about India\u2019s strikes, Tarar said that no terrorist infrastructure was hit.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I took foreign and local journalists to a village near the LoC \u2026 tomorrow morning, I was planning to take them to Bahawalpur and Muridke to show them where the strikes have occurred, to show that the local population is living there.<\/p>\n \u201cWe totally deny India\u2019s allegations regarding terrorists,\u201d Tarar maintained. \u201cWe have complete evidence that women and children have been targeted, there are civilian casualties in this and we will bring the evidence to foreign and local media. There are no terrorist camps.\u201d<\/p>\n Questioned about the possibility of de-escalation, Tarar said that the situation is ongoing, adding, \u201clet\u2019s see how it turns out\u201d.<\/p>\n Speaking to ARY News<\/em> at 1:06am about the initial details of the attack, DG Chaudhry said: \u201cAll of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India\u2019s airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n He noted: \u201cLet me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis temporary happiness that India has achieved with this cowardly attack will be replaced with enduring grief.\u201d<\/p>\n Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told ARY News<\/em> that civilian areas were attacked.<\/p>\n \u201cThe attacks were carried out on civilian areas,\u201d Asif said, adding that the \u201ccowards\u201d attacked from their own airspace. \u201cThey never left their house. Let them come out, we will respond fittingly.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked about Pakistan\u2019s decisions, Asif replied that Pakistan will retaliate.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will give a far greater response than their own strike,\u201d the minister said. \u201cNot only did they attack civilians but they did it from their own airspace.\u201d<\/p>\n On Geo News<\/em>, Asif clarified that the strikes were launched from within India\u2019s airspace.<\/p>\n \u201cWomen and children have been martyred in civilian areas. India is claiming it was targeting terrorist camps,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is no such thing, international media can visit the targets so that India\u2019s lies are exposed. We are offering international media to come wherever attacks have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n The defence minister further said: \u201cThey don\u2019t have the courage to attack us in our airspace, and they are firing on women and children. Mosques have been destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n He vowed that \u201cwe will give a befitting response,\u201d he said. \u201cThey will immediately receive their due.\u201d<\/p>\n Multiple loud explosions were heard in Azad Jammu and Kashmir close to the mountains around the city of Muzaffarabad after midnight, multiple Reuters<\/em> witnesses said.<\/p>\n After the explosions, the city\u2019s power was blacked out, the witnesses said.<\/p>\n Confirming the development, the Indian government said: \u201cA little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor\u201d and hit infrastructure in Pakistan and AJK from which it alleged \u201cterrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cOur actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution,\u201d it said in the statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n Indian National Security Adviser Ajit Doval briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shortly after New Delhi\u2019s strikes, the Indian embassy in Washington said.<\/p>\n Rubio later posted on X that he was closely monitoring the situation. monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. \u201cI echo president of the United States\u2019 comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The April 22 attack<\/a> in Pahalgam killed 26 people<\/a>, mostly tourists, in one of the deadliest assaults since 2000. India, without investigation or evidence, implied \u201ccross-border linkages<\/a>\u201d of the att\u00ada\u00ad\u00ad\u00adc\u00adkers. Pakistan has firmly rejected<\/a> the claim and called for a neutral probe<\/a>.<\/p>\n Tensions have since spiked, with Pakistan reinforcing<\/a> its forces as it expected<\/a> an incursion and India\u2019s premier granting \u201coperational freedom<\/a>\u201d to his military. As temperatures remain high, with the military warning<\/a> of a \u201cswift<\/a>\u201d response to any misadventure by New Delhi, diplomatic channels<\/a> have remained engaged to prevent conflict.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the \u201ccowardly attack\u201d, stating that Pakistan \u201creserves the right to respond forcefully to this warlike act imposed by India\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe deceitful enemy has carried out a cowardly attack on five locations in Pakistan,\u201d the PM wrote. \u201cPakistan fully reserves the right to respond forcefully to this warlike act imposed by India, and a robust response is being given.<\/p>\n \u201cThe entire nation stands with the Pakistan Armed Forces, and the morale and spirit of the entire Pakistani nation are high. The Pakistani nation and the Pakistan Armed Forces know well how to deal with the enemy,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will never allow the enemy to succeed in its nefarious objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n In another post on X at 4am, the PM wrote, \u201cThe treacherous enemy has launched a cowardly attack on five locations within Pakistan. This heinous act of aggression will not go unpunished.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan reserves the absolute right to respond decisively to this unprovoked Indian attack \u2014 a resolute response is already underway,\u201d he wrote, adding that the entire nation stands united behind its armed forces, and morale and resolve \u201cremain unshaken\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with the brave officers and soldiers of Pakistan,\u201d the PM added. \u201cThe people of Pakistan and its forces are fully prepared to confront and defeat any threat with our strength and determination. The enemy will never be allowed to achieve its malicious aims.\u201d<\/p>\n A statement from the presidency said President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned India\u2019s cross-border aggression against Pakistan that targeted the civilian population.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan will give a befitting reply to Indian aggression. Indian provocation will be countered with full force and unwavering resolve to protect Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty and territorial integrity.<\/p>\n \u201cTargeting civilian areas, unprovoked Indian attack is a clear violation of international law, UN Charter and Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty. The entire Pakistani nation is united behind its brave armed forces.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia\u2019s cowardly actions expose the true face of a fascist regime. The Indian government is ready to put regional peace and security at stake to advance its political agenda,\u201d the president said.<\/p>\n He said Pakistan\u2019s armed forces were fully prepared and capable of defending every inch of the motherland.<\/p>\n In a post on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the attacks, accusing India of \u201cjeopardising regional peace\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan strongly condemns India\u2019s aggression, which is [a] flagrant violation of Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty, the UN Charter and international law,\u201d he wrote. \u201cPakistan reserves the right to respond as per Article 51 of the UN Charter. We will protect our sovereignty & territorial integrity by all means.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPakistan must launch an immediate strong counter strike against India. We have to teach India and fascist Modi a lesson India will never forget. It is imperative that PM Imran Khan is released from Adiala because he is the single person who can unify the country,\u201d demanded Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub.<\/p>\n The Foreign Office said<\/a> that in an unprovoked and blatant act of war, the Indian Air Force, while remaining within Indian airspace, violated Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty using standoff weapons, targeting the civilian population across international border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, and across Line of Control in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia\u2019s act of aggression has resulted in martyrdom of civilians, including women and children. This act of aggression has also caused grave threat to commercial air traffic.<\/p>\n \u201cWe strongly condemn India\u2019s cowardly action, which is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations.<\/p>\n In the wake of Pahalgam attack, the Indian leadership has once again used the bogey of terrorism to advance its sham narrative of victimhood, jeopardising regional peace and security. India\u2019s reckless action has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict.\u201c<\/p>\n The FO said the situation continues to evolve and Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with the Article-51 of the UN Charter, and as enshrined in international law.<\/p>\n \u201cThe government, armed forces and people of Pakistan stand united in the face of Indian aggression. They will always act with iron resolve to protect and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe the people of Pakistan stand together as a nation against this ugly, senseless, foolish Indian aggression. We are shoulder to shoulder with our fighting forces and will defend our homeland against this cowardly Indian attack,\u201d said former president Arif Alvi.<\/p>\n Former FM and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said: \u201cI strongly condemn India\u2019s cowardly attack on Pakistani territory and civilian targets. Such acts of aggression will not go unanswered. Pakistan\u2019s brave armed forces, including our valiant Air Force, are responding with resolve. Any misadventure will be met with full force. Pakistan stands united.\u201d<\/p>\n He said India\u2019s \u201ccowardly and unprovoked attacks on civilian targets\u201d were acts of war. \u201cThe targeting of innocent women and children is not strength, it is savagery. Pakistan\u2019s armed forces, backed by an unbreakable nation, are responding with full force. Every aggression will be crushed. We will not tolerate violations of our sovereignty. Pakistan is united, defiant, and ready.\u201d<\/p>\n When asked by reporters at the White House about the strikes, US President Donald Trump called India\u2019s actions a \u201cshame\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a shame we just heard about it \u2026 I guess people knew something was going to happen, based on a little bit of the past. They\u2019ve been fighting for a long time,\u201d he said. \u201cThey\u2019ve been fighting for many decades \u2026 I just hope it ends very quickly.\u201d<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the White House said Rubio has spoken with his counterparts from India and Pakistan, encouraging both sides to engage in discussions to settle the escalating military confrontation.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is encouraging India and Pakistan to re-open a channel between their leadership to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation,\u201d said US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes in a statement.<\/p>\n United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres is very concerned about Indian military operations in Pakistan and AJK, his spokesperson said, while calling for maximum military restraint from India and Pakistan.<\/p>\n \u201cThe world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed called on India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions and avoid further escalation that threatens regional and international peace, the Emirati state news agency WAM<\/em> reported early on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The minister stressed the importance of heeding the voices calling for dialogue and mutual understanding to prevent military escalation, strengthen stability in South Asia, and avoid further regional tensions, WAM<\/em> added.<\/p>\n According to the Foreign Office, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called Dar to express Turkiye\u2019s solidarity with Pakistan \u201cagainst India\u2019s unprovoked aggression violating Pakistan\u2019s sovereignty and killing innocent civilians\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cHe (Fidan) expressed concern over the deteriorating regional security situation. Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination on the evolving situation,\u201d the FO wrote in a post on X.<\/p>\n The FO said that on Dar\u2019s direction, Pakistan\u2019s permanent representative to the United Nations in New York has informed the UN Security Council of India\u2019s open aggression and threats to international peace and security.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, sources in the Civil Aviation Authority said Pakistan\u2019s airspace was to be completely closed and the Islamabad International Airport was closed for flights, with all flights diverted to Karachi airport.<\/p>\n The sources said the airspace was initially closed for 48 hours and all flights were cancelled, with passengers advised to return home.<\/p>\n \u201cMajor change in air routes in the region. All foreign flights rerouted to Pakistani airspace. Foreign flights leave Pakistani airspace and head towards the Arabian Sea. Flights withdrawn from Pak-India airspace, new route to the Arabian Sea adopted. International flights away from Pakistani airspace,\u201d the sources said.<\/p>\n British news outlet The Guardian<\/em> quoted<\/a> Pakistan International Airlines as saying that all domestic and international flights on the ground have been put on hold while all inbound and outbound flights are being diverted to Karachi.<\/p>\n \u201cAuthorities have advised passengers not to come to the airport and to return home,\u201d it reported.<\/p>\n The Flight Radar 24 online tracker showed that international flights to Karachi were still scheduled.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, the British Foreign Office issued<\/a> a travel advisory advising against all but essential travel to Pakistan.<\/p>\n Qatar Airways temporarily suspended flights to Pakistan.<\/p>\n Earlier, Asif said that a clash with India \u201ccan happen anytime\u201d amid the ongoing tensions<\/a> between the two countries in the wake of a militant attack in occupied Kashmir.<\/p>\n Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) earlier in the day, where he was briefed on the country\u2019s preparation for a \u201cconventional threat\u201d. Asif was also part of the visit.<\/p>\n Speaking in an interview on Geo News<\/em> show \u2018Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath\u2019 on the briefings in the ISI HQ, the defence minister reiterated that he had already said before that a clash with India was imminent<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThat is still imminent today and can happen anytime,\u201d he said, adding that a confrontation could be \u201cone of the choice\u201d India could want to adopt but \u201cwe have developed a countermeasure for every choice, whether that is a surgical strike or ground attack or air attack or naval engagement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are ready for them everywhere at all times.\u201d<\/p>\n He said the \u201ccrux\u201d of today\u2019s briefing was that \u201cevery kind of incursion or attack is being expected from them.\u201d<\/p>\n Asif added that the briefing also delved into Pakistan\u2019s strategy for responding to any situation.<\/p>\n\n
ISPR damage assessment: 4am<\/h2>\n
\u2018Cowardly attack\u2019<\/h2>\n
Pakistan airspace closed as of now following Indian strikes: sources<\/h2>\n
Ready at any time: Khawaja Asif<\/h2>\n