Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday said that India had raised white flags along the Line of Control (LoC), which he interpreted as an admission of defeat following recent hostilities between the two countries.
Speaking at a press conference at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad, Tarar praised the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for a swift and proportionate response to Indian air strikes. He claimed that PAF had shot down five Indian fighter jets and one drone that had entered Pakistani territory.
The minister said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was closely monitoring the security situation, and that the country’s political and military leadership was united in defending Pakistan’s sovereignty.
He strongly condemned the targeting of civilian areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during Indian strikes, calling the act “highly regrettable.”
Citing Indian media reports, he said even segments of the Indian press had acknowledged the loss of military equipment. He added that the Pakistani nation remained united behind its armed forces and had offered prayers for their success.
Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s long-standing position as a victim of terrorism, noting that over 90,000 Pakistanis had lost their lives in related violence. He also referred to Pakistan’s offer of an independent investigation into the Pahalgam incident — an offer he said was rejected by India, which he claimed reflected an unwillingness to pursue transparency.
He accused India of using propaganda to harm Pakistan’s international image and reiterated Pakistan's commitment to peace and regional stability.
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed on Wednesday that 26 civilians were martyred and 46 others injured in overnight Indian airstrikes targeting multiple civilian areas across Pakistan.
Speaking during a briefing on Wednesday, the DG ISPR said that India carried out 24 airstrikes on six different locations inside Pakistani territory.
He said that 13 people were martyred in Bahawalpur’s Ahmedpur East area. The deceased included two three-year-old girls, seven women, and four men. In addition, 37 individuals were injured, including nine women and 28 men.
In a separate incident near Muzaffarabad, a strike on Bilal Mosque resulted in three fatalities, while two children — a girl and a boy — sustained injuries, he added.
Another attack occurred in Kotli, where the Abbas Mosque was targeted. Two teenagers, a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy, were martyred. A woman and her daughter were also injured in the same incident.
He further stated that no casualties were reported in Sialkot or Shakargarh, although a dispensary in Shakargarh sustained minor damage.
The military spokesperson also confirmed that Indian army firing along the Line of Control martyred five civilians, including a five-year-old child.
The military spokesperson added that India deliberately targeted mosques, describing it as a reflection of the extremist mindset of Narendra Modi’s Hindutva-driven government, which, he said, systematically oppresses minorities—particularly Muslims.
He further said that Pakistan army downed five Indian fighter jets and one combat drone in response to unprovoked aggression and airspace violations.
According to the military spokesperson, the aircraft shot down included three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one SU-series aircraft, and an Israeli-made Heron combat drone. The jets were downed in multiple locations, including Bhatinda, Jammu, Akhnoor, Srinagar, and Avantipur.
“The Pakistan Air Force engaged these aircraft only after they carried out attacks on Pakistani territory,” DG ISPR said. “Their aggression targeted the territorial integrity of Pakistan and endangered civilian lives,” he added.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ