India said it launched a military operation early on May 7 local time, in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
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Speaking at an international media briefing, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry revealed that terrorist camps were operating within India itself.
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has accused India of being directly involved in terror financing and sponsoring cross-border terrorism.
Speaking at an international media briefing, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry revealed that terrorist camps were operating within India itself.
“They are now openly admitting to sponsoring terrorists in Balochistan,” he said, asserting that India’s role in destabilising the region is no longer a secret.
The DG ISPR also stated that India’s involvement in terrorism extended beyond Pakistan’s borders. “New Delhi is not only involved in acts of terror in Pakistan but has also been linked to terrorism in Canada,” he added.
He emphasized that India is actively supporting various terrorist groups operating within Pakistan, including the outlawed Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which he referred to as "Fitna al-Khawarij."
“It’s time for the world to hold the Indian government accountable,” he asserted.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry further claimed that the recent Pahalgam attack and India’s subsequent aggressive actions were designed to distract Pakistan's security forces from ongoing anti-terrorism operations.
“The government and armed forces of Pakistan are tightening the noose around India-sponsored terror networks daily,” he said. “These provocations are a clear attempt to divert our attention from these vital operations.”
Read more: Pakistan "200% Ready" to defend itself against Indian aggression: Khawaja Asif
He criticized the Modi-led Indian government for using the Pahalgam incident — which took place in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) — to shift focus away from its internal challenges.
“India has a long history of exploiting terrorism for political gain, often targeting innocent Kashmiris to serve its own agenda,” he noted.
Reaffirming Pakistan's resolve, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry declared: “Pakistan will protect its dignity and sovereignty at all costs.”
He also raised critical questions about the Pahalgam incident. “How did Indian authorities identify the culprits within just ten minutes of the attack? This raises serious doubts about the credibility of their claims.”
The Kingdom is believed to be playing a mediating role, calling for calm and encouraging both Islamabad and New Delhi to prioritise regional peace and stability.
Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir arrived in Islamabad on Friday as part of efforts to help de-escalate growing tensions between Pakistan and India.
According to diplomatic sources, Adel al-Jubeir is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit.
He will also hold talks with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, to discuss the regional security situation and explore ways to reduce hostilities between the two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbours.
The visit comes after Adel al-Jubeir travelled to New Delhi, where he reportedly met Indian officials to urge restraint and dialogue following recent military confrontations.
Read more: Pakistan "200% Ready" to defend itself against Indian aggression: Khawaja Asif
Saudi Arabia’s active diplomatic engagement signals mounting international concern over the heightened standoff between Pakistan and India, especially after recent cross-border strikes and mounting war rhetoric from both sides.
The Kingdom is believed to be playing a mediating role, calling for calm and encouraging both Islamabad and New Delhi to prioritise regional peace and stability.
Indian media is known for fake propaganda.
Indin media outlet has apologised for airing the bulk of fake news about attacks inside Pakistan last night.
Indian media, rather to call it 'Godi Media' started sensation to address the frustration of heavy loss of five jets, over 70 drones downing and killing of around 50 armymen by Pakistan, by airing fake news.
The media outlet claimed attacks in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar and other cities of Pakistan and the destruction of Karachi port and Airport. This was not it, they also aired fake videos of attacks at KPT and Airport.
Now the media outlet, after online bashing, has apologised to the Indin viewers by saying that there were too much news last night about the Indian response, some of the news were confirmed before being aired, while others were aired un-checked.
Read more: Pakistan refutes Indian media claims on strikes in Occupied Kashmir
Take a look at few fake news aired by Indin media last night
Earlier, security sources categorically denied Indian media reports claiming that Pakistan has launched an attack on Indian-occupied Kashmir. These reports have been described as fake, fabricated, and completely baseless.
According to Pakistani security officials, the purpose of spreading such misinformation is to falsely portray Pakistan as an aggressor, while India continues its own acts of naked aggression.
Officials say such propaganda attempts are part of a broader Indian strategy to justify its military operations against Pakistan under a false narrative of retaliation.
“There is no truth whatsoever in these fabricated stories,” said the sources, urging the international community and media to see through India’s disinformation tactics.
“These fake reports are designed to justify India’s ongoing aggression against Pakistan by creating a false pretext,” they added. “There is no truth to these fabricated claims.”
“The nation should rest assured—we are not just ready; we are 200% ready,” he told lawmakers.
Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif assured the nation on Thursday that Pakistan is “200% prepared” to defend itself, both militarily and diplomatically, in the face of rising tensions with India.
Addressing the National Assembly, Asif praised the bravery and professionalism of the Pakistan Armed Forces, highlighting their successful operations against a much larger adversary.
“Despite the numerical advantage of the Indian military, our forces have shot down five Indian aircraft and continue to defend the nation with unwavering resolve,” he stated.
“The nation should rest assured—we are not just ready; we are 200% ready,” he told lawmakers.
Asif noted that Pakistan has engaged in active diplomatic outreach, maintaining close contact with nearly every major world power amid the ongoing crisis.
He confirmed that key allies, including Turkey and China, are standing firmly by Pakistan’s side.
Referring to the recent Indian attack on the Neelum–Jhelum Dam, Asif described it as a grave provocation and warned that the conflict could escalate if India continues its aggression.
Read more: Pakistan downs 77 Israeli-made Indian drones in two days
He reiterated that the National Security Committee (NSC) has granted full authority to the armed forces to respond appropriately.
“The Pakistan Army already delivered a fitting response last night. Modi now has no viable options left,” Asif asserted. He confirmed that Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes targeted Indian military installations and key infrastructure.
He also dismissed India’s justification for the attacks, saying: “India attacked six to seven different locations that had no military bases or so-called terrorist hideouts.”
Concluding his remarks, Asif said that while Pakistan’s complete strategy remains classified for security reasons, “our defence will remain strong and in the national interest.”
Hundreds are now left stranded or scrambling to rebook flights amid mounting uncertainty.
Flight operations at Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport were suspended again on Friday, marking the third shutdown in just 48 hours.
Authorities have yet to offer an official explanation for the repeated closures.
Sources within the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirmed that the airport will remain closed “until further notice,” leaving dozens of domestic and international flights either delayed or cancelled.
“Operations have been halted temporarily, and the airport will remain closed until further orders,” a senior airport official told Dawn on condition of anonymity.
The repeated suspensions are causing growing frustration and confusion among passengers, many of whom have already endured delays and cancellations earlier this week.
Hundreds are now left stranded or scrambling to rebook flights amid mounting uncertainty.
Read more: Flight operations restored at airports nationwide
Amid escalating tensions, the flight operations in Pakistan were suspended and airports in major cities were closed partially.
The authorities stated that the closure of airports affected at least 400 flights, of which 130 were cancelled and 24 were diverted on different routes, while others were delayed.
However, the flight operations at all airports were restored, but at least 149 flights from the different air stations, including Karachi, Islamabad, and Lahore, were cancelled.
"A drone was directed at Nankana Sahib but we took it out," DG ISPR.
🚨RED ALERT 🚨 -
— Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (@SFJGenCounsel) May 8, 2025
Janam Asthan Sri Nankana Sahib Under India's Drone Attack
Modi's India Fired A Drone Attacking Guru Nanak Sahib's Janam Asthan Nankana Sahib -- Pakistan Army Shot Down the Indian Drone Aimed At Sri Nankana Sahib..!!!
Now ....Not Only Pakistan Is Under Attack… pic.twitter.com/ubpNSrvFE6
🔥 BREAKING 🔥
— Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (@SFJGenCounsel) May 9, 2025
India’s Drone Attack at Nankana Sahib:
بھارت کا ننکانہ صاحب پر ڈرون حملہ:
SFJ Calls For Sikh Soldiers on Indian Army to Defect and Form "Sikh National Army" to Support Pakistan, Liberate Punjab From Indian Occupation.
سکھس فار جسٹس نے بھارتی فوج میں سکھ فوجیوں… https://t.co/5GhPUxnw2X pic.twitter.com/H2992rXFUv
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry strongly condemned India’s attempt to target one of the holiest Sikh sites, Nankana Sahib, with a drone, an attack successfully thwarted by the Pakistan Army. He called the act “abhorrent and unacceptable.”
Addressing a press conference alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday, Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that India had fired four missiles toward Amritsar the previous night, one of which veered toward Pakistan. “We were closely monitoring the situation,” he said.
Lt Gen Chaudhry dismissed India’s claims of having targeted 15 locations in Pakistan as “fiction,” emphasising that the Pakistan Armed Forces were on high alert and fully capable of defending the nation.
“I question the Indian government’s credibility. If it claims to be a 21st-century state, it must stop spreading baseless allegations,” he asserted.
Read: India uses Israeli Harop drones in cross-border strikes against Pakistan
He further disclosed that Indian drone attacks had been launched across multiple Pakistani cities, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock, Nankana Sahib, Bahawalpur, Mianwali, Chor, Ghotki, and Karachi.
Speaking specifically about the drone attack on Nankana Sahib, Lt Gen Chaudhry said, “One of the drones attempted to target a holy Sikh site in Nankana Sahib. This is abhorrent and unacceptable.” He added, “Which religion allows the targeting of mosques, sacred places, and holy scriptures? Today, a drone was directed at Nankana Sahib but we took it out.”
The attack sparked outrage within the global Sikh community. Khalistan movement leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun condemned India’s aggression, stating, “The Modi-led Hindutva government’s drone attack on the birthplace of Guru Nanak Sahib is an open declaration of war against Sikhs. The Pakistan Army destroyed the drone and protected Nankana Sahib.”
Pannun further recalled past Indian assaults on Sikh religious institutions, recalling the Operation Blue Star in 1984, Operation Black Thunder in 1988, and the Darbar Sahib attack in July 1955.
He called on Sikhs serving in the Indian military to prepare for an armed struggle "to liberate Punjab from the Indian occupation."
All 10 million people of minorities will be on the front line against India.
Punjab Minority Affairs Minister, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora pointed out the dignified way the Sikh community is treated in Pakistan, emphasising that in difficult times, they would stand by their country.
Ramesh made this statement in a talk show, stating that Pakistan always respected the Sikh community, which is why, in his words, “I believe that the relations between Pakistan and Sikhs are like nails and flesh.”
The minister also praised Paksitan government’s efforts to facilitate Sikh pilgrims from India that showed it heartwarming respect for the Sikh religion, stating that they were granted 7,000 visas to perform their religious rituals, despite cross-border tensions.
“Out of 7,000, only 800 Sikh pilgrims have come to Pakistan”, and others avoided travel to Pakistan as “a propaganda was spread that Pakistan is not a safe place”.
Read: Sikhs expose India's false claims of Pakistan's attack on Amritsar's Golden Temple
He said all those who came to Pakistan received immense love from the people.
Senator Dinesh Kumar, hailing from the Hindu Community, said if tensions between Pakistan and India escalate, all 10 million people of minorities will be on the front line against India.
He further noted, “The only difference between minorities in Pakistan and India is that, in India, the state is complicit in the violence against minorities, whereas in Pakistan, the state has always stood by them.”
In the same programme defense analyst and former Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General (retd) Muhammad Saeed shed light on the military situation between two countries.
He said that the arrival of Israeli-manufactured Indian drones reflected India’s frustration over its failed military operations and was also a move to test Pakistan’s defence capabilities.
This technological and strategic setback comes as India reels from the international embarrassment of losing three Rafale fighter jets.
As India's escalatory actions continue through repeated drone incursions into Pakistani airspace, a recent report by Israeli media revealed that New Delhi suffered a financial blow of approximately $17.5 million (PKR 5.73 billion) after Pakistan’s military shot down 29 Israeli-origin Harop drones on Thursday. This brings the total number of such UAVs neutralised to 77 so far.
According to Israel Business News, each Harop drone, manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), costs around $700,000 (PKR 197.4 million).
The drones used in the attacks were identified as Israeli-manufactured Harop drones, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
These same UAVs have been used by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in their ongoing genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, where they have struck on civilian areas and humanitarian zones .
Four Pakisani soldiers injured in Lahore drone attack by India: DG ISPR
Harop drones are known for their stealth and precision. They are classified as loitering munitions, meaning they can hover over a designated area for extended periods, scanning for targets.
These drones are commonly used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as in urban warfare, high- and low-intensity conflict zones, and counter-terrorism missions. They are capable of engaging fast-moving enemy missiles, radar installations, and hidden hideouts on land or at sea, according to Automate Decision Research.
This technological and strategic setback comes as India reels from the international embarrassment of losing three Rafale fighter jets, considered the pride of its air force, which were shot down by the Pakistan Army.
Check: BBC locates footage of crashed Indian Rafale jet
The incident sent shockwaves through the global arms industry and strategic circles.
According to a French newspaper, the downing of the Rafale jets represents a huge blow to the Indian Air Force. India had acquired 26 Rafale aircraft from France in a deal worth approximately $7 billion to modernise its air capabilities.
X declared the complete closure of the accounts an “contrary to the fundamental right of free speech.”
The Indian government blocked more than 8,000 accounts on the micro-blogging site X (formerly Twitter) after its anti-Pakistan agenda was exposed on social media. While criticising the action, the X administration stated its inability to prevent it.
The X administration said that no justification was given for banning accounts on a large scale by the so-called secular Indian government. However, multiple accounts in this don't relate to any particular reason.
"X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees," the statement.
"We believe that making these executive orders public is essential for transparency – lack of disclosure discourages accountability and can contribute to arbitrary decision making. However, due to legal restrictions, we are unable to publish the executive orders at this time."
"X is exploring all possible legal avenues available to the company. Unlike users located in India, X is restricted by Indian law in its ability to bring legal challenges against these executive orders. However, we encourage all users who are impacted by these blocking orders to seek appropriate relief from the courts," it added.
Read: PTA blocks 16 Indian YouTube channels over anti-Pakistan propaganda
The X administration declared the complete closure of the accounts an “contrary to the fundamental right of free speech,” saying neither India made it clear which Indian laws were violated by these accounts, nor did they provide a clarification of the content or legal justification in accordance with Indian laws.
AFP reported that Meta banned a prominent Muslim news page on Instagram in India at the request of the Modi government. The account’s founder has condemned the move, calling it “censorship.”
Instagram users’ access to the @Muslim handle on X was also restricted. The account has 6.7 million followers, when the account's founder received a message saying the account was unavailable in India.
"I have received hundreds of messages, emails and comments from our followers in India saying they cannot access our account," Amir Al-Khattab, the news account's founder and editor-in-chief, said in a statement.
Read: India blocks ISPR, PM Sharif's YouTube, X accounts
He said that Meta blocked the @Muslim account at the legal request of the Indian government, which is censorship.
However, Meta refused to comment, saying that it follows a policy of restricting content on a webpage when the government believes that content on its platforms is “against local law”.
Amir demanded that Meta restore the account in India, saying that we will continue to document the truth and stand strong for justice.
Notably, India had previously unjustifiably banned more than a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in LoC-adjacent areas.
The Pakistan Army shot down an Indian quadcopter in the Baghsar area, Azad Kashmir, late Thursday night.
According to security sources, the surveillance drone was targeted and brought down at approximately 3:15 am.
The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in LoC-adjacent areas, where Indian forces have intensified unprovoked shelling.
In response, the Pakistan Army launched effective retaliation, inflicting substantial damage on enemy positions.
In the Pandu sector, Pakistani forces destroyed an Indian Army headquarters in response to indiscriminate firing.
Read: BBC locates footage of crashed Indian Rafale jet
Meanwhile, in the Haji Pir sector, a key Indian post known as Jhanda Ziyarat was demolished, dealing a heavy blow to Indian military infrastructure. The targeted strike resulted in substantial losses for the Indian side.
On the civilian front, Indian shelling in Rawalakot’s Hajira region left three people injured, while another civilian sustained injuries in the Pilarani Colony area due to ongoing cross-border firing.
The Pakistan Army reiterated its resolve to respond firmly to any ceasefire violations and safeguard the lives of citizens residing along the LoC.
Dar rejected India’s claims of targeting so-called terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan, stating that no credible evidence had been presented linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation on Thursday with the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the Commission, Kaja Kallas. The call took place at the request of the EU representative, following their earlier discussion on May 2, 2025.
According to a statement from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Deputy PM Dar expressed gratitude to Kallas for the European Union’s support and solidarity during the current regional crisis.
He strongly condemned what he described as India’s unprovoked act of war, which he said violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and seriously endangered peace and stability in South Asia.
Dar rejected India’s claims of targeting so-called terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan, stating that no credible evidence had been presented linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident.
He emphasized that India’s actions contravened the UN Charter, international law, and fundamental norms governing inter-state conduct.
Reiterating Pakistan’s firm position, Dar stated that the country reserved the right to respond in self-defence, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
In response, EU’s HR/VP Kaja Kallas expressed her deep condolences for the loss of civilian lives and extended sympathies to the families of the victims.
She called for maximum restraint from both sides and emphasized the need to pursue diplomacy and dialogue to prevent further escalation.
BBC Verify has authenticated videos showing debris from a crashed French-made Rafale fighter jet,
BBC Verify has authenticated videos showing debris from a crashed French-made Rafale fighter jet, the same model used by India's air force, near Bathinda in Punjab state.
The analysis confirms:
The Indian Air Force has not commented on the apparent crash of the advanced fighter jet, which India acquired in a $9.4 billion deal with France. The location sits approximately 150 km from the Pakistan border.
Defense analyst Justin Crump of Sibylline told the BBC the wreckage appears consistent with French missile systems used on both Rafale and Mirage 2000 jets.
The verification comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
The development Chinese-manufactured fighter jets used by Pakistan reportedly shot down at least two Indian military aircraft,
The U.S. officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated with high confidence that Pakistan deployed its Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets in air-to-air combat against Indian forces. One of the aircraft reportedly downed was identified as a French-made Rafale fighter, part of India’s recently upgraded fleet.
Both sources clarified that U.S.-made F-16s, also in Pakistan’s arsenal, were not involved in the incident.
Regarding the government's move to suspend Indian airline access to Pakistani airspace, 78% of respondents backed the decision.
According to a new Gallup Pakistan survey, while a majority of Pakistanis prefer peace over war with India, a substantial 79% expressed confidence in Pakistan’s victory if a war were to occur.
The poll revealed that 12% of respondents strongly advocated for peace under all circumstances, emphasizing that "no one truly wins in war." Public opinion appeared divided on launching a military response to India's recent aggression:
54% opposed initiating a war,
43% supported open warfare with India.
Regarding the government's move to suspend Indian airline access to Pakistani airspace, 78% of respondents backed the decision.
Read more: Pakistan refutes Indian media claims on strikes in Occupied Kashmir
When asked about U.S. involvement in the ongoing tensions, 43% of Pakistanis expressed distrust, fearing that the U.S. might encourage India towards escalation. In contrast, 31% believed the U.S. would play a constructive role in facilitating peace.
As for Pakistan's offer to conduct an impartial investigation into the Pahalgam attack, 49% believed India would reject the offer regardless of the situation, while 28% thought India might consider it.
Indian media blamed Pakistan for the attack.
Security sources have categorically denied Indian media reports claiming that Pakistan has launched an attack on Indian-occupied Kashmir. These reports have been described as fake, fabricated, and completely baseless.
According to Pakistani security officials, the purpose of spreading such misinformation is to falsely portray Pakistan as an aggressor, while India continues its own acts of naked aggression.
Officials say such propaganda attempts are part of a broader Indian strategy to justify its military operations against Pakistan under a false narrative of retaliation.
“There is no truth whatsoever in these fabricated stories,” said the sources, urging the international community and media to see through India’s disinformation tactics.
“These fake reports are designed to justify India’s ongoing aggression against Pakistan by creating a false pretext,” they added. “There is no truth to these fabricated claims.”
Read more: India uses Israeli Harop drones in cross-border strikes against Pakistan
Security sources further said that such fake news were recently spread regarding an alleged attack in Amritsar. “The aim was to provoke the Sikh community and turn them against Pakistan,” they added.
Sources added that now, Indian media is falsely reporting attacks in occupied Kashmir to once again mislead the public and the international community.
Rubio called PM Sharif to discuss tensions in South Asia.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday that Pakistan retains the right to act in self-defence in line with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, following a wave of Indian missile and drone strikes that killed and injured scores of civilians.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz strongly condemned India’s unprovoked aggression, which resulted in the deaths of 31 innocent civilians, injuries to 57 others, and widespread damage to civilian infrastructure across six Pakistani cities.
“These attacks represent a blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and pose a grave threat to regional peace and stability,” the prime minister told Secretary Rubio during their conversation.
He reiterated that Pakistan is fully prepared to defend its territorial integrity and will not tolerate acts of war against its people. “The people of Pakistan are outraged by these unprovoked acts of aggression,” he added.
Read more: Pakistan reserves right to self-defence, PM Sharif tells US secretary of state
The prime minister expressed appreciation for President Donald Trump’s concern over the volatile situation in South Asia and welcomed the U.S. interest in preventing further escalation.
Secretary Rubio, for his part, said the United States was closely monitoring the situation and remained committed to peace and regional stability. He stressed the importance of restraint and dialogue, urging both Pakistan and India to engage constructively to de-escalate tensions.
Both leaders agreed to maintain regular diplomatic contact as the crisis unfolds.
The movement of commercial ships at the ports will continue as per routine.
The authorities issued a high alert for maritime security agencies to safeguard Pakistan's naval boundaries and ports amid Indian escalation and drone attacks, including violations of Pakistan's international airspace multiple times.
Sources at the Karachi port stated that all small boats, with those that had obtained permission later, were immediately banned from visiting the coast, and their permits were subsequently cancelled.
It added that fishing boats were also barred from getting to sea.
Maritime sources said that the movement of commercial ships at the ports will continue as per routine, and it was decided to ban the movement of ships at sea in order to improve security by restricting movement.
Read: Indian drones shot down in Lahore, Chakwal, Gurjanwala and Ghotki
It is pertinent to mention here that after the killing of tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, India attacked the residential areas of Pakistan in the darkness of the night between May 6 and 7.
After the Indian attack, the Pakistani armed forces responded to the cowardly attack by shooting down five of its warplanes, including three Rafale aircraft of the Indian Air Force, while destroying several military check posts, including a brigade headquarters.
The Indian army admitted defeat by hoisting the white flag at the Chura complex on the LoC.
In addition, the National Security Committee has given permission and full powers to the Pakistan Army to retaliate. Pakistan has expressed its determination to give a befitting reply to the Indian attack.
Despite rising tensions with India, 72% of respondents advocated for peace and advised against war.
A recent Gallup survey revealed that 93% of Pakistanis expressed their unwavering commitment to defend their country.
Despite rising tensions with India, 72% of respondents advocated for peace and advised against war, warning of its destructive consequences.
Meanwhile, 27% supported a strong military response, calling for a forceful reply to India’s aggression.
It is worth noting that on the night of May 6 and 7, Indian forces targeted civilian areas in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Bagh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Shakargarh in Azad Kashmir, killing 31 civilians and injuring 57.
Read: Khawaja Asif warns of 'all-out war' between Pakistan and India
In response, Pakistan's armed forces launched retaliatory strikes, downing five Indian aircraft, including three Rafale jets,and destroying several Indian check posts and a brigade headquarter in occupied Kashmir.
India conducted drone attacks on 12 locations across Pakistan during the night of May 7–8.
Among the areas targeted were Lahore, Karachi, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Attock, Mianwali, Miano, Chhor. Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that while most of the drones were intercepted and neutralised, one managed to breach Lahore’s air defenses.
Lt Gen Chaudhry added that India made a grave miscalculation by launching attacks on Pakistan on May 6 and 7, which resulted in significant losses for India.
Pakistan was "trying to avoid" war between nuclear-armed countries, but India had crossed the "international boundaries."
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of a potential "all-out war" between Pakistan and India amid New Delhi's escalating actions, and Islamabad's readiness to repond to such unfounded aggression.
In an interview with the CNN, Khawaja Asif stated that he saw "the possibility of the expansion of this conflict into a full-scale war."
He said that Pakistan was "trying to avoid" war between nuclear-armed countries, but India had crossed the "international boundaries."
Read: Four Pakisani soldiers injured in Lahore drone attack by India: DG ISPR
Asif clarified that Pakistan has "three boundaries, including the working boundary, international boundary, and Line of Control; the other two boundaries are disputed territories."
"Crossing the international boundary is a clear-cut violation and an invitation to expand the conflict, and may convert it into a much wider and more dangerous situation for the region," he said while expressing concerns about war.
When asked about "what is next?" Khawaja Asif replied, "We are prepared for all of this, absolutely no doubt," adding, "Because India is increasing intensity and escalating this conflict, we should be prepared for all-out war."
Read: Security forces down Indian drone in Karachi's Malir area
Khawaja Asif's statement came after India escalated its tensions with Pakistan through airstrikes late at night on May 7.
The missiles targeted residential areas in Punjab, followed by Pakistan witnessing drones from the Indian side on Thursday; however, all of them were intercepted by the armed forces.
Notably, after the Indian attack, the Pakistani armed forces responded to the cowardly attack by shooting down five warplanes, including three Rafale jets of the Indian Air Force, while destroying several military checkpoints, including a brigade headquarters.
The Indian army retreated and raised a white flag along LoC.
Subsequently, the National Security Committee gave permission and full powers to the Pakistan Army to retaliate. Pakistan expressed its determination to give a fitting reply to the Indian attack.
