Pakistan Downs 5 Indian Fighter Jets, Targets Brigade HQ and Checkposts in Retaliatory Strikes
At least 26 civilians martyred, 46 injured in Indian attacks
In major retaliation and a befitting response, the Pakistan armed forces shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a combat drone, and destroyed brigade headquarters, including a number of checkposts, after New Delhi carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In his press conference on Wednesday, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that all Pakistan Air Force jets are safe after engaging Indian jets.
The military's top spokesperson also added that among the destroyed IAF fighter jets are three French-made Rafales, one Su30MKI and one MIG-29 Fulcrum.
The Pakistan armed forces also destroyed multiple enemy posts in several sectors along the Line of Control (LoC). An intense exchange of fire is ongoing along the de facto border, with the Pakistan Army engaging Indian troops' positions.
India's attacks on Pakistani soil have resulted in the martyrdom of 26 innocent civilians, while 46 others have sustained injuries, according to Lt Gen Chaudhry.
The military escalation along the LoC comes after India launched strikes on multiple locations in Pakistan in the wee hours of Wednesday.
India says it took the measures in response to the killing of more than two dozen tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, for which India blames Pakistan, a claim that Islamabad has vehemently denied.
Details of Indian attacks
- Ahmedpur East, Masjid Subhanullah — 13 martyred | two 3-year-old girls, seven women, four men. 37 injured | nine women, 28 men.
- Muzaffarabad, Masjid Bilal — 3 martyred. One girl and one boy injured
- Kotli, Masjid Abbas — 16-year-old girl, 18-year-old boy martyred. One mother and her child injured
- Muridke, Masjid Ummul Qura — 3 men martyred. One injured
- Sialkot — No damages reported
- Shakargarh — No damages were reported, one dispensary damaged
- Attack damages Noseri Dam at Pakistan's Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project
