ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan military has shot down five Indian fighter jets and destroyed a Brigade Headquarters and several Indian Army posts in retaliation for late-night air strikes by India launched after midnight at the sites of Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad, Pakistan’s defence minister confirmed.
Earlier, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told local media that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has shot down two more Indian fighter jets, taking the total number of Indian fighter jets to five.
Speaking to Geo News, Khawaja Asif said Pakistan had gained the upper hand in its retaliatory action, while responding to the Indian forces’ strikes with strength and precision.
He stressed that the Pakistani armed forces acted decisively to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and downed five Indian fighter jets.
Earlier three Indian fighter jets were struck down by Pakistan Air Force. The Pakistan Air Force has also shot down another Indian Rafale jet 17 nautical miles southwest of Avantipur. So far, the Pakistan Air Force has downed three Indian fighter jets, said security sources.
They said several Indian posts have been destroyed in multiple sectors. Another enemy post in the Udhampur sector has also been destroyed.
Additionally, on the LoC, the enemy’s Joli Post saw 50 Indian soldiers fleeing from the Badori sector. The Pakistan Army fired artillery at the retreating Indian soldiers, reportedly inflicting heavy losses on the enemy side.
In the Peer Kanti sector as well, 40 Indian soldiers abandoned their posts and fled—multiple casualties occurred as a result of Pakistan Army’s counteraction.
The same was confirmed by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who said that the response is ongoing, but did not share operational details.
“We shot down two Indian planes and we are responding to Indian aggression right now as we speak,” he told British broadcaster Sky News.
Security officials said that Pakistani armed forces are giving a “befitting reply” to the unprovoked Indian attack, asserting that the country’s defence is fully active and vigilant.
“All Pakistani Air Force aircraft are safe,” the sources confirmed.
Eight Pakistanis martyred, 35 injured in Indian strikes: DG ISPR
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on early Wednesday that at least eight Pakistanis were martyred and 35 were injured in Indian missile attacks on cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
DG ISPR elaborated that India launched 24 attacks on six sites in Pakistan, and all targets hit were civilian in nature, with most being mosques. The Indian munitions also caused damage to the surrounding residential structures.
Addressing a press conference, DG ISPR said: “A total of 24 impacts have been reported by India, with different weapons, in six localities. In these six localities, eight Pakistanis have been killed, 35 have been injured and two are missing, based on our damage assessment.”
“In Bahwalpur’s Ahmedpur East, Subhan mosque was targeted,” he added. “Here, there were four strikes and five innocent Pakistanis were killed, including a three-year-old girl. Thirty-one civilians have been injured, including 25 men and six women.”
He said one mosque was destroyed, while four quarters in which people were living were also destroyed.
“In Muzaffarabad, Bilal mosque was targeted. There were seven impacts, in which one girl has been injured and a mosque was destroyed,” the DG ISPR said.
“In Kotli, Abbat mosque was targeted. There were five impacts and two people were killed, including a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. A woman and her daughter are both injured,” DG Chaudhry added.
“In Muridke, Umalkura mosque was targeted and there were four strikes. One man has been killed, while another is injured. Two people are missing,” he said. “A mosque has been destroyed and potters have sustained economic damages,” DG Chaudhry added.
“In Sialkot district, in the village of Kotki Lohara, there were two strikes,” he added. “One missile misfired, while one fell in an open field. There was no damage.”
“Near Shakargarh, there were two strikes with no damage. There was minor damage to a dispensary,” he added.
The DG ISPR said that the “unprovoked, cowardly attack” will be met with a befitting response. “We are giving it and will continue to give it,” he said.
The Pakistan armed forces, in retaliatory strikes, shot down three Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a drone and destroyed a brigade headquarters. A missile strike by Pakistani forces also wiped out an enemy post in the Dhundial sector of the Line of Control (LoC), the sources added.
Pakistan informs UNSC about Indian aggression
On instructions of the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN in New York has informed the UN Security Council about the blatant aggression by India and the threat it posed to international peace and security.
UNSC has been informed that Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately to this aggression at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with its right to self-defence as enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Pakistan’s response is ongoing: Information Minister
Appearing on British broadcaster Sky News, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan’s response is ongoing.
When asked about the potential for escalation, Tarar said it “is an evolving situation”.
He reiterated that Pakistan was expecting an attack by India and said that “they would be the aggressor”.
“We offered an investigation into the whole Pahalgam episode, we wanted a fair and transparent investigation. But … India, without evidence, has targeted civilians, women and children. India had no right to do that,” he added.
“As the minister for information, I have occupied a seat of responsibility,” Tarar said. “I have taken an oath and I will give you verified information.”
When asked why India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack, Tarar replied: “This area (Pahalgam) is a good 200 kilometres from the Line of Control. The FIR was filed in 10 minutes, but police arrived after one and a half hours.”
Tarar accused India of “running away” from an investigation into the Pahalgam attack and accused India’s governing party of “wanting a reason to attack Pakistan”.
“We have a high morale and we will respond to Indian aggression,” he said.
“India has no evidence whatsoever to link Pakistan to this incident,” he stressed. “India has attacked civilians … without any justifiable cause and because we have the right to self-defence, we will defend our country, we will respond.”
“India will now face Pakistan’s very fierce response, because we are never the aggressors,” he said.
Referring to Pahalgam, Tarar said India “is questioning its own government”. “They have no evidence, they have no facts and they ran away from the investigation which Pakistan had offered,” the minister added. They attacked our civilians, they attacked our mosque today, they attacked five localities. Pakistan will now respond and will respond very, very effectively.
“Our desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness,” he said.
When asked about India’s strikes, Tarar said that no terrorist infrastructure was hit.
“When I took foreign and local journalists to a village near the LoC … tomorrow morning, I was planning to take them to Bahawalpur and Muridke to show them where the strikes have occurred, to show that the local population is living there.
“We totally deny India’s allegations regarding terrorists,” Tarar maintained. “We have complete evidence that women and children have been targeted, there are civilian casualties in this and we will bring the evidence to foreign and local media. There are no terrorist camps.”
Questioned about the possibility of de-escalation, Tarar said that the situation is ongoing, adding, “let’s see how it turns out”.
India’s aggression against Pakistan
On night of 6/7 May 2025, Indian Air Force has struck multiple civilians targets including a mosque and residential accommodation in Bahawalpur, Muridke, Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bagh, security sources said.
As per the initial reports, there are civilian casualties including children and women. Detailed damage assessment is in progress.
Pakistan’s response was based on both use of Air Force and Army, which was swift and hard hitting against Indian military targets.
Pakistani missile destroys Indian Army post
According to security sources, a Pakistani missile strike has destroyed an Indian Army post in the Doodhnial sector along the Line of Control.
Pakistan Army’s missile strike destroys enemy post in Dudanial sector on LoC, security sources
Pak Armed forces are giving a befitting reply to the enemy’s naked aggression, security sources pic.twitter.com/42uc1ieJi4
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) May 6, 2025
Pakistani forces are giving a befitting response to the Indian military at several locations, security sources said.
Pakistan convenes National Security Committee meeting
In the backdrop of the unjustified attacks on non-combatant Pakistani civilians by the Indian Army, a crucial meeting of the National Security Committee has been convened, said Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the National Security Committee today at 10 AM where high-level consultations on the national security situation will take place today.
Major decisions regarding national security are expected today, the Federal Minister for Information said.
Pakistan military destroys Indian Brigade Headquarters
The Pakistan military destroyed India’s Brigade Headquarters in a retaliatory strike following Indian aggression, Geo News reported on Wednesday, quoting security sources.
Pakistani forces destroyed Indian brigade headquarters in retaliation, security sources
Pakistani forces are giving a befitting response to the enemy at several locations, security sources pic.twitter.com/7TJkIlFxHv
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) May 6, 2025
Pakistan military sources said that Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army are giving a befitting reply to the cowardly Indian attack after India early on Wednesday launched missile attacks from its own airspace targeting five locations inside Pakistan — Bahawalpur, Kotli, Muridke, Bagh, Ahmedpur Sharqia, and Muzaffarabad — in what the military described as a “cowardly act” aimed at civilians and a mosque.
UN chief ‘very concerned’ over India’s missile attacks on Pakistan
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern Tuesday over recent missile attacks by India against Pakistan.
“The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries,” said his spokesperson Stephane Dujarric in a statement.
“The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan,” he added.
Guterres’ remarks came shortly after the Indian military’s launch of missile strikes targeting sites in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan strongly condemns India’s blatant aggression
Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, “In an unprovoked and blatant act of war, the Indian Air Force, while remaining within Indian airspace, has violated Pakistan’s sovereignty using standoff weapons, targeting civilian population across the international border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, and across Line of Control in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.”
“India’s act of aggression has resulted in martyrdom of civilians, including women and children. This act of aggression has also caused a grave threat to commercial air traffic,” the MoFA statement read.
“We strongly condemn India’s cowardly action, which is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations,” the ministry stated.
In the wake of Pahalgam attack, the Indian leadership has once again used the bogey of terrorism to advance its sham narrative of victimhood, jeopardizing regional peace and security. India’s reckless action has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict.
“The situation continues to evolve. Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with the Article-51 of the UN Charter, and as enshrined in international law,” the MoFA statement read.
“The government, armed forces and people of Pakistan stand united in the face of Indian aggression. They will always act with iron resolve to protect and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan,” the statement reaffirmed.
Educational institutions closed in Islamabad and Punjab
Due to the prevailing situation in the country, all educational institutions in Islamabad will remain closed today, according to a notification issued by the Additional District Magistrate.
Examinations scheduled for today have also been postponed, the notification added.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also announced the closure of all educational institutions across the province after India launched an overnight attack inside Pakistan.
In a statement, the chief minister said, “Defending every inch of Pakistan is a matter of faith for us.”
She said that the soil of Punjab is the custodian of heroes and martyrs, adding, “The innocent blood spilled on this land tonight is a debt on us.”
She also issued immediate emergency response orders to the provincial administration.
Expressing confidence in the nation’s resilience, she declared, “Victory, God willing, will be our destiny. Naara-e-Takbeer, Allah u Akbar. Pakistan Zindabad.”
Emergency declared in Punjab after India’s attack
In response to the attacks on non-combatant civilians in Pakistan by Indian forces, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced a state of emergency across Punjab, placing all security agencies, including Punjab Police, on high alert.
All security agencies, including the Punjab Police, have been placed on high alert, and district administrations have been directed to remain vigilant.
As part of the emergency measures, leaves for all doctors and medical personnel in public hospitals have been cancelled, with immediate orders to report for duty. Civil defence teams and relevant departments have also been mobilised to ensure preparedness across all districts.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated, that Just as we responded resolutely on 28 May 1998, we will give a befitting reply to the enemy’s aggression in May. “Every child of Pakistan will rise to this challenge and, by the grace of Almighty Allah, we will emerge victorious.”
PM Shehbaz says Pakistan reserve right to retaliate in befitting manner
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says India launched missile attacks on five Pakistani cities. “Pakistan does reserve the right to retaliate in a befitting manner,” PM Shehbaz maintained.
Security sources say that the Pakistan Army destroyed India’s Brigade Headquarters in a retaliatory attack.
PM Shehbaz has called a meeting of Pakistan’s National Security Committee at 10 am today, Federal Minister for Information said.
India attacks Pakistan
Pakistan military’s spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the Indian strikes hit Masjid Sobhanullah in Ahmedpur East, Bahawalpur, as well as sites in Kotli, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Muzaffarabad.
DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said three Pakistanis were killed and 12 were injured in “cowardly” missile strikes by India in Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad after midnight for which retaliation by the military was already under way.
The strikes come as tensions have been escalating intensely between the two countries in the wake of a militant attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
“Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army are giving a befitting response to the cowardly Indian attack,” security sources said.
“The blood of innocent Pakistanis will be avenged at all costs,” the sources added.
According to preliminary damage assessments, only civilians and innocent Pakistanis were targeted, security sources stated.
“Visual evidence clearly shows that only innocent and unarmed Pakistanis were targeted,” the sources noted.
“The blood of each innocent Pakistani will be avenged,” the officials reiterated.
According to reports received so far, India carried out strikes at five locations under the cover of darkness: Kotli, Ahmedpur Sharqia, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Muridke, security sources said.
According to media reports, one minor was martyred and a woman sustained serious injuries in the Indian missile attack.
Trump says ‘it is a shame’
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump termed India’s attack on Pakistan as shameful. “It is a shame,” Trump said regarding India’s attack on Pakistan, adding “I hope it ends quickly”.
Pakistan Air Force jets responding to threat
“All strikes were made by India from its own airspace,” Lt Gen Chaudhry said. “Pakistan Air Force jets are airborne and responding to the threat. This will not go unanswered. Pakistan will respond at a time and place of its own choosing. The temporary pleasure of India will be replaced by enduring grief.”
“All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India’s airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan,” DG ISPR told ARY News.
He noted: “Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered.”
The development follows rising tensions after a deadly April 22 attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam, occupied Kashmir. India blamed Pakistan without evidence, a claim Islamabad has strongly denied, urging an impartial international investigation.
India claims striking 9 locations in Pakistan
Meanwhile, Indian Defence Ministry in a statement claimed that “the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’. Altogether, nine (9) sites have been targeted. Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.”
“No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution. There will be detailed briefing on ‘OPERATION SINDOOR’, later today.”
CM Punjab condemns India’s ‘cowardly attack’
Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, strongly condemns India’s cowardly attack.
The entire nation will stand united to confront the enemy, declares Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The enemy attacked in May; we will respond with a fitting reply, just like on 28 May 1998, says Maryam Nawaz.
Every child of Pakistan will emerge successful in this trial and, by the grace of Almighty Allah, will achieve victory.
The Chief Minister has declared a state of emergency across Punjab.
All security agencies, including the Punjab Police, are on high alert.
Leaves of all doctors and medical staff at hospitals across Punjab have been cancelled.
All staff have been instructed to immediately report for duty.
District administrations in all districts of Punjab have also been placed on high alert.
Officials and personnel of civil defence and all other related departments have been summoned.
Pakistan will destroy any structure that obstructs Indus water
Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan would destroy any infrastructure India attempts to build to obstruct the flow of the Indus River, which is vital for Pakistan’s agriculture and livelihoods.
Talking to a private TV channel, Defence Minister Asif said that a military confrontation with India has become inevitable, stating that hostilities could erupt “at any time” amid heightened tensions after the Pahalgam incident.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that water from India that once flowed across borders will be stopped.
Islamabad has warned that any attempt by India to block or divert Pakistan’s river waters would be deemed an “act of war”.
The Defence Minister said that Pakistan expected aggression from India and was fully prepared to respond to any misadventure.
Asif warned that India’s attempts to occupy Pakistan’s land will cost it dearly, as tensions continue to rise between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after the Pahalgam attack.
“India’s strategy to occupy Pakistan’s land will cost it dearly. If Indian rulers try to block Pakistan’s water, they will drown in it,” he warned.
Pakistan-India tensions
Tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have escalated after the April 22 attack in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Without furnishing credible evidence or conducting an investigation, India swiftly blamed Pakistan, alleging “cross-border linkages” in the incident.
Pakistan has condemned the attack in the strongest terms and firmly rejected Indian allegations as baseless.
Islamabad has repeatedly called for a neutral, transparent and independent international investigation into the Pahalgam incident, but New Delhi has yet to respond to the proposal.
A day after the Pahalgam attack, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security on April 23 approved punitive measures against Pakistan, including the closure of the Wagah-Attari border crossing and suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Islamabad has warned that any attempt by India to block or divert Pakistan’s river waters would be deemed an “act of war”.
Pakistan’s Indus River System Authority (IRSA) said on Tuesday that the flow of the Chenab River into Pakistan had been reduced by nearly 90 percent, days after India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty.
Established in 1960 with World Bank facilitation, the treaty has survived multiple wars and was regarded as a rare example of water cooperation.
It allocated the three western rivers—Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab—to Pakistan, and the eastern ones—Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej—to India.
The suspension of the treaty has further raised alarm in Islamabad, with IRSA officials calling the drastic reduction in water flow a deliberate act of hostility.
On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by federal ministers and services chief, visited the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters in Islamabad.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the high-level delegation was briefed on the prevailing security environment and Pakistan’s preparedness in light of the “increasingly aggressive and provocative posture” adopted by India along the eastern border.
The briefing covered regional developments and the evolving threat landscape, including conventional military threats, hybrid warfare, and the use of non-state proxies.
Khawaja Asif said that the civil and military leadership were informed during the briefing that Indian aggression was expected.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged both countries to exercise “maximum restraint” and step back from the brink.
Speaking at a press briefing, Guterres said, “Tensions between India and Pakistan are at their highest in years… Now is the time for maximum restraint and stepping back from the brink.”
The UN chief stressed, “Make no mistake, a military solution is no solution.” He also offered the UN’s good offices to both countries to facilitate de-escalation and dialogue.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) convened behind closed doors on Monday to discuss the India-Pakistan situation under the long-standing agenda item titled “India-Pakistan Question”.
The meeting was requested by Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.
Speaking after the session, Ambassador Ahmad said several Council members called for de-escalation and underscored the importance of resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
“The Kashmir issue remains unresolved after more than seventy years. Conflicts may be ignored but they do not disappear—they deepen,” he remarked.
“The stakes are higher than ever, with escalating rhetoric, military posturing, and provocative actions threatening not just Pakistan, but regional and global peace.”
On Tuesday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that water from India that once flowed across borders will be stopped.
“India’s water used to go outside, now it will flow for India”, Modi said in a speech in New Delhi.
“India’s water will be stopped for India’s interests, and it will be utilised for India.”
Pakistan has warned that tampering with its rivers would be considered “an act of war”.
Modi did not mention Islamabad specifically, but his speech comes after New Delhi suspended its part of the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, which governs water critical to parched Pakistan for consumption and agriculture.
Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has reiterated that any attempt by India to restrict Pakistan’s water supply or initiate military action would receive a swift and firm response.
