In major retaliation and a befitting response, the Pakistan armed forces shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a combat drone, and destroyed brigade headquarters, including a number of checkposts, after New Delhi carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In his press conference on Wednesday, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that all Pakistan Air Force jets are safe after engaging Indian jets.
The military’s top spokesperson also added that among the destroyed IAF fighter jets are three French-made Rafales, one Su30MKI and one MIG-29 Fulcrum.
The Pakistan armed forces also destroyed multiple enemy posts in several sectors along the Line of Control (LoC). An intense exchange of fire is ongoing along the de facto border, with the Pakistan Army engaging Indian troops’ positions.
India’s attacks on Pakistani soil have resulted in the martyrdom of 26 innocent civilians, while 46 others have sustained injuries, according to Lt Gen Chaudhry.
Pakistan’s retaliatory shelling killed 10 civilians and wounded 48 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), according to Indian authorities.
The military escalation along the LoC comes after India launched strikes on multiple locations in Pakistan in the wee hours of Wednesday.
India says it took the measures in response to the killing of more than two dozen tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, for which India blames Pakistan, a claim that Islamabad has vehemently denied.
Details of Indian attacks
Shakargarh — No damages were reported, one dispensary damaged
Attack damages Noseri Dam at Pakistan’s Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project
US President Donald Trump termed rising tension between India and Pakistan a shame, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to officials in the nuclear-armed rivals.
“It’s a shame, we just heard about it,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time.”
Pakistan downs 5 Indian jets, destroys brigade HQs, multiple checkposts in retaliatory strikes
China, meanwhile, has expressed regret over India’s military operation early this morning, voicing concern about the escalating situation between India and Pakistan.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was very concerned about Indian attacks in Pakistan, his spokesperson said while calling for maximum military restraint from both nuclear-armed Asian neighbours.
‘Pakistan has gained upper hand’
In a statement on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the “treacherous enemy” has launched a cowardly attack on multiple locations within Pakistan.
“This heinous act of aggression will not go unpunished. Pakistan reserves the absolute right to respond decisively to this unprovoked Indian attack — a resolute response is already underway.”
“The entire nation stands united behind its armed forces, and our morale and resolve remain unshaken. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave officers and soldiers of Pakistan.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also confirmed that the PAF has shot down at least five Indian fighter jets in response to India’s recent cross-border aggression.
Speaking to Geo News, the defence minister said Pakistan had gained the upper hand in its retaliatory action, while responding to the Indian forces’ strikes with strength and precision.
He stressed that the Pakistani armed forces acted decisively to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has strongly condemned India’s air strikes, describing them as an “unprovoked and blatant act of aggression”.
In a statement shared on social media, the minister said the IAF had targeted civilian areas using stand-off weapons while remaining within Indian airspace.
Pakistan apprises UNSC
Islamabad has informed the United Nations Security Council about the evolving situation between Pakistan and India, following the overnight military escalations across the border.
In its communication to the UN, Pakistan raised serious concerns over what it described as India’s unprovoked aggression, which has further heightened tensions in the region.
The Security Council has also been told that Pakistan reserves the right to respond to the Indian strikes.
‘Pakistan reserves right to respond appropriately’
In a statement, the Foreign Office said in an unprovoked and blatant act of war, the Indian Air Force, while remaining within Indian airspace, has violated Pakistan’s sovereignty using standoff weapons, targeting civilian population across international border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, and across Line of Control in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“India’s 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,” FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said.
“We strongly condemn India’s cowardly action, which is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations.”
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, the FO said, adding that India’s reckless action has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict.
“The situation continues to evolve. Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, and as enshrined in international law.”
It further said: “The 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.”
Airspace restored
The Pakistan Airports Authority has restored the airspace for Lahore and Karachi, according to a newly issued NOTAM (Notice to Airmen).
The authority stated that the airspace had been suspended for 8 hours during operational restrictions.
However, the affected air routes are now fully available for flight operations following the lifting of the overnight suspension.
The NOTAM further advised passengers to remain in contact with their respective airlines in view of the regional situation.
It also clarified that the final decision regarding flight schedules and routes rests with the individual airlines.
Pakistan-India tensions
The two nuclear-armed neighbours are experiencing a period of heightened tensions since the April 22 attack on tourists in the scenic resort town, in which at least 26 people were killed.
New Delhi linked Islamabad to the attack without offering any evidence and took a flurry of punitive measures to downgrade ties, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, revoking visas of Pakistanis, and closing Wagah-Attari border crossing, among others.
Islamabad, in response, ordered the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military advisers, cancelling visas for Indian nationals, with the exception of Sikh pilgrims, and closing the main border crossing from its side.
Pakistan also denies its involvement in the attack and offered to take part in a credible and transparent investigation.
Pakistan has been warning that it had credible intelligence reports regarding military action by India in the next few days.