RAWALPINDI: The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed on Thursday that India launched drone attacks across several cities in Pakistan. He said Pakistani forces responded swiftly. They successfully shot down 12 Indian drones. However, the attack left one person martyred and another injured in Sindh.
“This was an unprovoked and cowardly act by India,” said the DG ISPR during a press briefing held in Rawalpindi.
Missile Attacks Hit Multiple Cities
According to the DG ISPR, India also launched missile strikes from its own airspace. The targets included Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Muridke, and Ahmedpur Sharqia.
“These cowardly attacks will not go unanswered,” warned Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
He confirmed that Pakistani defenses were immediately activated. The armed forces destroyed Indian check posts and brigade headquarters along the Line of Control (LoC).
Pakistan Downs Five Indian Aircraft
ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that Pakistan Air Force shot down five Indian aircraft, including three French-made Rafale jets.
In an interview with CNN, the minister said, “Indian media has already reported the crash of three jets in Indian-occupied Kashmir.”
He accused India of deliberately targeting civilians. “Women and children were hit. That’s a clear violation of international laws,” he added.
PM Shehbaz Calls India’s Move a ‘Grave Mistake’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the nation hours after the Indian incursion.
He termed the attack a “grave mistake” and a “strategic miscalculation.”
“They underestimated our resolve,” PM Shehbaz said. “But we are a brave nation. We will defend every inch of our homeland.”
He praised the armed forces for their crushing response. “India was brought to its knees in a few hours. This is the spirit of M.M. Alam that lives on in our pilots.”
India Violates Ceasefire, 31 Martyred
DG ISPR confirmed that the Indian Army violated the ceasefire agreement during the night of May 6 and 7.
The unprovoked shelling martyred 31 civilians and injured at least 57 others.
“This is a disgraceful attack on innocent people. Every drop of their blood will be avenged,” the DG warned.
He added that Pakistani forces responded with full strength, shooting down Indian aircraft and drones.
PAF Crushes Indian Rafale Pride
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also addressed the National Assembly on the issue.
He confirmed that India used the Pahalgam incident as an excuse for launching strikes on Pakistan.
“Pakistan had already condemned the incident and even offered help in the investigation,” he said.
Dar revealed that the Pakistan Air Force destroyed Indian targets without escalating the situation.
“Our response was calculated, professional, and precise,” he added.
French Officials Confirm Rafale Jet Downed
CNN reported that a senior French intelligence officer confirmed Pakistan shot down at least one Indian Rafale jet.
This marks the first known combat loss of a Rafale aircraft.
The French authorities are currently investigating if more Rafale jets were lost.
Pakistan claimed it downed five Indian jets, including three Rafales. However, Indian officials are yet to accept the loss.
Shehbaz Sharif Addresses Parliament
In a separate address to Parliament, PM Shehbaz revealed more details about the Indian attack.
He said 80 Indian fighter jets attempted to strike six different locations, including Bahawalpur, Sialkot, Shakargarh, and areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
“Our forces were fully prepared. We shot down five jets and successfully neutralized the threat,” he stated.
He praised the intelligence agencies and Pakistan Air Force for preempting India’s plans.
Erdogan Calls PM Shehbaz, Offers Support
ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called PM Shehbaz Sharif and expressed full support for Pakistan.
According to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate, Erdogan extended condolences for the civilians martyred in the attacks.
He appreciated Pakistan’s calm and restrained response and backed its demand for an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam incident.
“Türkiye stands with Pakistan. We will continue diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions,” the Turkish President said.
Read: PIA Issues Travel Advisory Amid Indo-Pak Tensions; Flight Operations Disrupted
Pakistan Engages Diplomatically with the World
Deputy PM Ishaq Dar said Pakistan briefed more than 40 ambassadors and diplomats following India’s attack.
“We made it clear—Pakistan will not be the first to start a war. But we will finish it if forced,” he said.
Dar also clarified that the world must understand the seriousness of the situation. “Peace cannot be ensured if Indian aggression continues,” he warned.
A Warning to India
DG ISPR delivered a stern warning to India in his concluding remarks.
“Our message is clear: We will retaliate against every act of aggression. No one should doubt our will or our capability.”
He emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces stand united with the nation. “We do not want war, but we are not afraid of it either.”
As tensions escalate between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, global powers are watching the situation closely.
Pakistan’s leadership has shown military preparedness, diplomatic maturity, and national unity.
Meanwhile, India’s unprovoked aggression has drawn criticism both at home and abroad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif summed it up best: “We will not allow our sovereignty to be violated. Not today. Not ever.”
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