Early Wednesday morning, Pakistan’s military confirmed the successful retaliatory downing of five Indian military aircraft, including three Rafale jets, along with a drone following an Indian missile strike on six locations within Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The incident, which began around midnight, involved 24 missile strikes by India within their own airspace targeting civilian areas, causing significant casualties.
According to ISPR, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif, eight Pakistani citizens, including women and children, lost their lives, and 35 others were injured. Several mosques in areas such as Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad were damaged during the attack, with one reported as completely destroyed.
Pakistan’s immediate and robust response demonstrates its military preparedness and resolve. Security sources confirmed the destruction of an Indian brigade headquarters as well as heavy shelling that forced Indian troops to abandon over 90 posts along the Line of Control (LoC), leading to reportedly high Indian troop casualties.
Details of the Attack and Pakistan’s Response
- Indian Missile Strikes: The attack focused on civilian areas, including mosques in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, where families gathered for religious activities.
- Pakistan’s Military Response: By 5 a.m., Pakistan had successfully shot down five Indian aircraft, including three Rafales, one MIG, and one SU-30. Security sources indicated crashes at locations such as Bhattanda, Akhnoor, and Avantipura.
- Civilian Impact: The strikes damaged mosques and left residents of affected communities grappling with fear and loss. Foreign media will be escorted to the affected areas for firsthand verification of damages.
Indian Army Losses and Retreats
- Pro-BJP journalist Aditya Raj Kaul hinted at significant Indian military casualties in tweets, with reports suggesting heavy troop losses and abandoned posts in the Peer Kanthi, Budori, and Dudhnial sectors.
- Videos circulating on social media highlight reports of devastation at Indian brigade headquarters, with visible flames and local commentary confirming damage.
No Cross-Border Incursion by India
Despite the severity of the missile strikes, Pakistan’s defense minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that no Indian military aircraft entered Pakistani airspace. “Pakistan maintains airspace security and will respond decisively, choosing the time and method of its action,” Lt. Gen. Sharif noted in his statement. Additionally, cautionary air travel measures have been implemented, with Lahore’s airspace temporarily shut down for 48 hours.
International media outlets, including CNN, have reported on this escalation, confirming Pakistan’s downing of two Indian military aircraft in the initial stages of retaliation. Videos and eyewitness accounts from affected areas within Indian-occupied Kashmir offer further evidence of the incident’s scale.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned India’s actions, vowing that Pakistan will not tolerate aggression targeting civilians. The DG ISPR also emphasized that foreign media outlets are invited to independently assess the destruction caused by Indian missile strikes.
