Islamabad (TDI): The Pakistan armed forces, in retaliatory strikes, shot down five Indian Air Force jets, a drone and destroyed brigade headquarters after India carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that all Pakistan Air Force (PAF) jets are safe after engaging Indian jets.
Among the destroyed Indian Air Force jets are three French-made Rafales, one Su30MKI and one MIG-29 Fulcrum.
The Pakistan armed forces also destroyed an enemy post in the Dhundial sector of the Line of Control and shot down a drone. An intense exchange of fire is ongoing at the LoC with Pakistan Army engaging Indian Army positions.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stated on early Wednesday that at least 8 Pakistanis were martyred and 35 were wounded in Indian missile attacks on cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
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He said that India launched twenty-four attacks on six sites in Pakistan, and all targets hit were civilian in nature, with most being mosques. The Indian strikes also caused damage to the surrounding residential structures.
The Indian attacks come amid escalated tensions between the two countries in the aftermath of the Phalgam attack on April 22 which killed 26 tourists.
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Shortly after midnight, explosions were heard in multiple cities, including Bahawalpur, Kotli, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad.
Loud explosions were also reported in the mountainous region near Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the PAF has shot down at least 5 Indian fighter jets in response to India’s cross-border aggression.
He said that Pakistan had gained the upper hand in its retaliatory action, while responding to the Indian attack with strength and precision.
He added that the Pakistani armed forces acted decisively to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Farkhund Yousafzai is an Associate Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
