Pakistan Downs 5 Indian Aircraft in Retaliatory Strike After Cross-Border Attack

ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD – The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down five Indian military aircraft, including Rafale jets, in a decisive response after Indian forces launched what Pakistani officials called a “cowardly” cross-border attack late Tuesday night, targeting civilian areas and mosques in multiple cities.

Escalation Following Kashmir Tensions
The strikes mark a dangerous escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors, coming days after a militant attack in Indian-occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed 26 people. India had accused Pakistan of involvement—a claim Islamabad has repeatedly denied while demanding an independent investigation.

Pakistan’s Military Response
Five Indian jets downed, including advanced Rafale fighters

Indian brigade headquarters destroyed in retaliatory strikes

Drone shot down in Barnala sector

Enemy checkpost obliterated along the Line of Control (LoC)

No Pakistani aircraft lost, military confirms

Civilian Casualties and Damage

Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that India’s strikes deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure, including:

Subhanullah Mosque (Bahawalpur): A three-year-old child among those killed

Bilal Mosque (Muzaffarabad): A young girl severely injured

Muridke: School and hospital complex hit, casualties reported

Initial Toll:

Multiple civilians killed and wounded

Mosques, schools, and residential areas damaged

Pakistan’s Strong Condemnation
Maj. Gen. Chaudhry called India’s attack “shameful and unprovoked,” emphasizing that Pakistan “reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.”

Airspace Emergency Declared
Islamabad International Airport and major air hubs shut down

Flights diverted to alternate locations

Heightened security alerts nationwide

Global Reactions Awaited
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with fears of further escalation. Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to self-defense while urging global powers to restrain India’s aggression.

Background: Rising Tensions
The confrontation follows:

India’s unilateral termination of the Indus Waters Treaty

Accusations over the Pahalgam attack without evidence

Weeks of heightened military posturing along the LoC

Next Steps
Emergency NSC meeting convened to assess further action

Diplomatic channels activated to expose India’s violations

Military remains on high alert for any further provocation

Pakistan’s Message:
“We did not seek this conflict, but we will defend our sovereignty and our people with full force.” — DG ISPR