Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari issued a strong rebuke to India on Wednesday during a speech in the National Assembly, declaring that any further aggression would be met with even greater force, Express News reported
“We shot down five of their fighter jets like mosquitoes,” he said, adding, “If they attack again, we’ll down more." Referring to India’s cross-border strikes earlier this week, the former foreign minister said the attacks were carried out under the cover of darkness, calling them cowardly and a violation of international law.
“Only thieves and cowards attack at night,” he added. “India targeted unarmed children. This is not the old era where Pakistan could be labelled a terrorist state and the world would believe it.”
He highlighted that for two weeks, India had levelled allegations against Pakistan following a deadly incident in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). “Our prime minister offered to hold investigations, but India neither accepted the proposal nor presented any evidence. Instead, it chose to strike,” he said.
Bilawal also addressed the asymmetry in size and strength between the two nations, saying, “Yes, India is bigger in size and numbers, and it acts out of arrogance. But the resilient people of Pakistan will open India’s eyes. We are not advocates of war, but if you attack our unarmed civilians, then be prepared—Pakistan will respond.”
He concluded by stating that under the United Nations Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to defend itself, and expressed full support for the Pakistani government and armed forces in responding to the Indian aggression. “The entire nation stands united with the armed forces and the government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded Pakistan’s armed forces for their swift military response to an Indian airstrike, declaring that the Pakistan Air Force turned a “dark night” into a “moonlit one” by retaliating against the attempted incursion.
Speaking during the NA session, PM Shehbaz accused India of launching a cross-border attack under the cover of darkness, similar to what he described as previous “cowardly” efforts.
“The enemy state India once again tried to attack Pakistan in the dark of night,” the premier told lawmakers. “But the Pakistan Army responded fiercely, turning that dark night into a moonlit one.”
PM Shehbaz confirmed that Indian warplanes targeted areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including near Sialkot, and said 80 Indian aircraft were involved. He claimed the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) responded immediately and shot down five Indian jets.
“Our eagles were on full alert,” he said. “As soon as Indian aircraft dropped payloads, our eagles swooped in and shot down five jets. Pakistan gained great honour.”
The PM said those who claimed we had fallen behind in conventional warfare must have come to their senses now. "We shot down five jets — it could have been ten — but our falcons acted with caution," said PM.
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