On Wednesday, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar made a bold statement, claiming that India had raised white flags along the Line of Control (LoC). He interpreted this as a sign of defeat in light of the recent tensions between the two nations.
India’s air strikes were met with a quick and measured response, said Tarar during a press conference held at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad. He commended the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), asserting that it had successfully shot down five Indian fighter jets and a drone that had crossed into Pakistani airspace.
The minister emphasized that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was keeping a close eye on the security situation, and he highlighted the unity among the country’s political and military leaders in safeguarding Pakistan’s sovereignty.
He expressed strong condemnation of the attacks on civilian areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, labeling these actions as “highly regrettable.”
Referring to reports from Indian media, he noted that even some Indian outlets had recognized the loss of military equipment. He added that the Pakistani people stood firmly behind their armed forces and were offering prayers for their success.
Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing narrative as a victim of terrorism, pointing out that over 90,000 Pakistanis had lost their lives due to related violence. He also mentioned Pakistan’s proposal for an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident, which he claimed India had rejected, indicating a lack of willingness for transparency.
He accused India of engaging in propaganda aimed at damaging Pakistan’s international reputation and reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to peace and stability in the region.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), confirmed on Wednesday that 26 civilians had tragically lost their lives and 46 others were injured in the recent Indian airstrikes that targeted several civilian areas across Pakistan.
During a briefing on Wednesday, the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) reported that India conducted 24 airstrikes across six different locations within Pakistani territory.
He mentioned that the attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 13 lives in the Ahmedpur East area of Bahawalpur. Among the deceased were two three-year-old girls, seven women, and four men. Additionally, 37 people were injured, including nine women and 28 men.
In another incident near Muzaffarabad, a strike on Bilal Mosque led to three fatalities, and two children—a girl and a boy—sustained injuries, he noted.
Another attack took place in Kotli, targeting the Abbas Mosque, where two teenagers—a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy—lost their lives. A woman and her daughter were also hurt in that incident.
He further clarified that there were no reported casualties in Sialkot or Shakargarh, although a dispensary in Shakargarh did suffer minor damage.
The military spokesperson also confirmed that Indian army fire along the Line of Control resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including a five-year-old child.
He emphasized that India intentionally targeted mosques, calling it a reflection of the extremist mindset of Narendra Modi’s Hindutva-driven government, which he accused of systematically oppressing minorities, especially Muslims.
Additionally, he stated that the Pakistan army successfully downed five Indian fighter jets and one combat drone in response to unprovoked aggression and violations of airspace.
According to the military spokesperson, the downed aircraft included three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one SU-series aircraft, and an Israeli-made Heron combat drone. These jets were intercepted in various locations, including Bhatinda, Jammu, Akhnoor, Srinagar, and Avantipur.
“The Pakistan Air Force engaged these aircraft only after they carried out attacks on Pakistani territory,” the DG ISPR explained. “Their aggression threatened the territorial integrity of Pakistan and endangered civilian lives,” he added.
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Q1: What did Minister Attaullah Tarar claim about the white flags at the LoC?
Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that the eastern neighbor had raised white flags along the Line of Control (LoC), which he interpreted as a sign of surrender following recent military tensions.
Q2: How did the Pakistan Air Force respond to recent airspace violations?
According to officials, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) took swift and strategic action, reportedly shooting down five fighter jets and one surveillance drone that violated Pakistani airspace.
Q3: Were there civilian casualties in the recent airstrikes?
Yes, Pakistani authorities confirmed that 26 civilians lost their lives and 46 others were injured due to airstrikes conducted by the neighboring country across six different regions.
Q4: Which areas in Pakistan were targeted during the airstrikes?
Strikes were reported in Ahmedpur East, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Sialkot, and Shakargarh. Mosques and civilian zones were among the targets, with significant casualties, especially in Bahawalpur and Kotli.
Q5: What type of military equipment was reportedly downed by Pakistan?
The Pakistan military stated that it successfully downed three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one SU-series aircraft, and an Israeli-made Heron drone in response to cross-border aggression.
Q6: What has been the response from the political and military leadership in Pakistan?
Federal authorities, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, are closely monitoring the situation. Both civil and military leadership expressed unity in defending Pakistan’s sovereignty.
