Pakistan shot down three Indian Air Force (IAF) jets and destroyed a brigade headquarters in India early Wednesday in retaliatory strikes following Indian missile attacks on cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir, which martyred at least 3 Pakistanis and injured 12 others.
The Indian strikes comes amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours in the aftermath of an attack on tourists that left 26 dead in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) Pahalgam.
“Pakistani armed forces are giving a befitting response to Indian aggression,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said.
Pakistan Army destroyed an Indian Army brigade headquarters, according to security sources. A missile strike by Pakistani forces also wiped out an enemy post in the Dhundial sector of the Line of Control (LoC), the sources added.
Security sources further said that the Pakistan Air Force and the Pakistan Army were giving a “strong and decisive response” to India’s cowardly attack.
Sources said Pakistan Army also shot down Indian drone in Barnala sector along the de fact border.
Sources told Geo News that the blood of innocent Pakistanis would be avenged at all costs, emphasising that so far only civilians and unarmed citizens have been targeted by India. They reiterated that the sacrifice of every innocent Pakistani will be avenged.
Shortly after midnight, explosions were heard in multiple cities, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad, reported state media.
Lt Gen Chaudhry announced shortly after that the Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes across cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
Slamming the India attack, the military spokesperson said: “All of our air force jets are airborne. This is a shameful and cowardly attack that was carried from within India’s airspace.”
“They were never allowed to intrude Pakistan’s airspace”.
“Let me say it unequivocally, Pakistan will respond to this [attack] at a time and place of its choosing,” warned the DG ISPR. “This provocation will not go unanswered.”
Lt Gen Chaudhry said damage assessments are currently underway and further details will be shared in due course.
Just after midnight, loud explosions were reported in the mountainous region near Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, according to Reuters witnesses. The blasts triggered a citywide power outage, plunging the area into darkness.
“There is temporary happiness that India has achieved with this cowardly attack, which will be replaced with enduring grief,” said the military spokesperson signaling a strong response from Pakistan to the attack.
Speaking to foreign media outlet, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar on Tuesday confirmed that Pakistan has shot down two Indian fighter jets in response to cross-border aggression.
He said that the Pakistan Armed Forces are giving a “befitting and strong” response to Indian hostilities.
“India has deliberately targeted civilian populations, which is a clear violation of international laws,” he added.
Tarar further said that India has no evidence to support its allegations regarding the Pahalgam attack.
‘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 the 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.”
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.
This is a developing story and will be updated with further details.
