On Wednesday, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), confirmed that 26 civilians lost their lives and 46 others were injured due to Indian airstrikes that targeted several civilian areas across Pakistan overnight.
Indian forces executed 24 airstrikes across six different locations within Pakistani territory, as reported by the DG ISPR during a briefing.
He detailed that 13 individuals were killed in the Ahmedpur East area of Bahawalpur, which included two three-year-old girls, seven women, and four men. Additionally, 37 people were injured, comprising nine women and 28 men.
In another incident near Muzaffarabad, a strike on Bilal Mosque led to three deaths, while a girl and a boy were injured, he noted.
Another attack took place in Kotli, where the Abbas Mosque was hit. Tragically, two teenagers—a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy—were killed, and a woman along with her daughter were injured in that same incident.
In response to India’s aggressive actions, Pakistan has successfully shot down five enemy aircraft, according to security sources. These aircraft were downed while they were conducting strikes on Pakistani territory from Indian airspace.
The downed aircraft included three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, and one Su-30, as confirmed by security officials. Furthermore, the Pakistan Air Force has also shot down an Indian Heron drone, according to the same sources.
Security sources added that the Pakistan Army has destroyed India’s Gufdaar post along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistani forces are effectively repelling Indian attacks along the LoC, compelling enemy troops to retreat.
“It’s important to remember that it was India that initiated this cowardly attack on innocent Pakistani civilians under the cover of night,” the sources emphasized. They reiterated that Pakistan is merely defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity against unprovoked aggression.
According to security sources, the Pakistani armed forces have taken decisive action by destroying an Indian brigade headquarters in a retaliatory strike. They also reported that a missile strike from the Pakistan Army has obliterated an enemy post in the Dadyal sector along the Line of Control (LoC).
In addition, sources confirmed that Pakistan targeted and destroyed an Indian Army infantry brigade headquarters in response to Indian aggression. Footage showing the aftermath of the strike on the Indian brigade headquarters has emerged, further substantiating the claims.
The specific Indian unit affected was the 12th Infantry Brigade, which operates under the 9th Division of the Indian Army’s 15 Corps, as confirmed by the sources. They emphasized that Pakistan will hold India fully accountable for its aggressive actions.
Moreover, security sources indicated that Pakistani forces have successfully shot down an Indian drone in Barnala, located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). All Pakistan Air Force (PAF) aircraft involved in these operations are reported to be safe.
Security officials have reported that Pakistani forces are currently executing a “crushing response” to what they label as unprovoked aggression from India, emphasizing that retaliatory actions are already in motion.
In the meantime, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has vehemently condemned India’s recent strikes, describing them as cowardly and in line with their historical behavior. “True to form, India launched attacks under the cover of darkness on two sites in Azad Kashmir—Kotli and Muzaffarabad,” he remarked.
He also confirmed that a woman and a child lost their lives in the Kotli attack. “With God’s help, we will respond strongly and unitedly to Indian aggression, working closely with the Pakistan Armed Forces,” he promised.
According to initial damage assessments, Indian airstrikes have reportedly targeted only civilian areas, with no military sites affected. “So far, all confirmed damage points to civilian infrastructure. Innocent and unarmed Pakistanis were the only targets,” the sources mentioned.
Visual evidence from the impacted regions has allegedly confirmed that only non-combatants were hit. “The images clearly indicate that only innocent Pakistanis were targeted,” officials stated.
Security sources further revealed that India conducted airstrikes under the cover of darkness at six different locations: Kotli, Ahmedpur East, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Muridke. “We will seek revenge for every drop of innocent blood,” the sources vowed, asserting that retaliation was already in motion.
The Indian Ministry of Defence has officially acknowledged that it carried out airstrikes within Pakistan. In a statement, the ministry claimed that Indian forces targeted nine distinct locations across Pakistan. However, they did not provide specific details about the exact sites or the nature of the targets.
A red alert has been issued at New Islamabad International Airport, according to security sources. They confirmed that all flight operations at the airport have been suspended, and Pakistani airspace in the region has been closed to commercial flights.
“Not long ago, the cowardly enemy India launched airstrikes on Subhanullah mosque in Bahwalpur’s Ahmed East area, as well as in Kotli and Muzaffarabad at three different locations,” Chaudhry stated during a late-night press briefing.
He added that the Pakistan Air Force had scrambled jets in response to the attack. “All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was executed from within India’s airspace. They were never permitted to intrude into Pakistan’s territory.”
Issuing a firm warning, the military spokesperson declared: “Let me be clear: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This despicable provocation will not go unanswered.”
When asked about potential casualties and damage to infrastructure, DG Chaudhry mentioned that assessment efforts are still underway and assured that he would provide more details once they are confirmed.
Local sources also reported that a complete blackout hit Muzaffarabad following the explosions, raising alarms about the level of damage and the current security situation.
In light of recent events, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif issued a serious warning, stating that a clash with India is now “inevitable” and could happen “at any moment.” His comments come amid increasing worries of a direct military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
This incident follows weeks of escalating tensions after a deadly attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which New Delhi has attributed to Pakistan—an accusation that Islamabad vehemently denies.
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Q1: What areas in Pakistan were targeted by Indian airstrikes?
Indian airstrikes reportedly targeted six locations within Pakistan, including Kotli, Ahmedpur East, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Muridke. Civilian infrastructure was primarily hit, according to Pakistani officials.
Q2: How many casualties were reported in the Indian airstrikes?
According to the DG ISPR, 26 civilians were killed and 46 others were injured during the airstrikes. Victims included women, children, and the elderly.
Q3: How did Pakistan respond to the Indian airstrikes?
Pakistan retaliated by shooting down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, and one Su-30. A drone was also downed, and retaliatory strikes were conducted on Indian military posts and brigade headquarters.
Q4: Was any Indian military infrastructure destroyed by Pakistan?
Yes, Pakistan reportedly destroyed the Indian Army’s 12th Infantry Brigade headquarters and the Gufdaar post along the Line of Control (LoC), according to Pakistani security sources.
Q5: Did India acknowledge the airstrikes inside Pakistan?
Yes, the Indian Ministry of Defence officially acknowledged carrying out airstrikes, claiming they targeted nine sites in Pakistan, though specific details were not disclosed.
Q6: Were any Pakistani military sites affected by the Indian airstrikes?
No Pakistani military installations were reported as damaged. Security officials confirmed that only civilian areas were targeted, and all Pakistani Air Force aircraft are safe.
