PAF brings down five Indian jets in retaliatory action against Indian air strikes

In retaliation for Indian air strikes in Pakistan’s civilian areas, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) brought down at least five Indian jets late at night on Wednesday, with a check post obliterated, according to the Internal Services Public Relations (ISPR). 

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, the Director General ISPR, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, confirmed the retaliatory action, stating that India targeted at least six civilian places in Pakistan, resulting in 26 being martyred, including two minor girls and seven women, while at least 46 were sustaining injuries.

The military confrontation between two nuclear-armed neighbours occurred after India launched “Operation Sindoor” late at night when several air strikes hit Pakistani cities.

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Around midnight, explosions rocked several cities, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad, causing widespread power outages and plunging areas into darkness, according to reports.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed India air strikes, and also stated that in retaliation, Pakistan’s forces brought down at least five Indian jets. 

Minister Tarar claimed that India had admitted defeat, waving a white flag at the Line of Control, as evidenced by footage played during the media briefing.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan's air force had downed at least five Indian fighter jets in response to India's cross-border aggression. 

He added that Pakistan's military had gained the upper hand, responding with precision and strength to defend the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned India's airstrikes and labelled the offensive as "unprovoked and blatant aggression," stating that India targeted civilian areas from its territory. 

Pakistan's Foreign Office strongly protested India's airstrikes, calling them a flagrant violation of sovereignty and international law, which targeted civilians and posed a risk to air traffic. The office condemned the act, citing harm to innocent lives, including women and children.