Key points
- President vows to deliver a decisive and forceful response to Indian provocation
- Reaffirms nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Entire nation stands firmly united behind its courageous armed forces: President
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has denounced the targeting of civilian populations across the border by India as a blatant violation of international law.
Radio Pakistan reported that the President vowed that Pakistan would deliver a decisive and forceful response to Indian provocation.
He reaffirmed the nation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity, emphasising that act of hostility would be met with full force.
“Firmly united”
President Zardari said that the entire Pakistani nation stands firmly united behind its courageous armed forces.
Radio Pakistan cited security sources saying, India hit the areas in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Ahmad Pur Sharqia and Muridke.
APP cited Pakistan’s military spokesperson as saying that eight Pakistani civilians were martyred and 35 others were injured after India fired missiles at six locations inside Pakistan.
Addressing an important news conference, Director General ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said various sites have been hit by India. He said five Pakistanis including a minor girl were martyred in strike on Ahmed Pur East. He said Indian strikes also hit mosques in Muzaffarabad, Kotli and Muridke.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said Indian aggression will be responded to in a befitting manner with the support of people of Pakistan. He said media will be taken to these sites today where naked Indian aggression will be exposed before the world.
PAF strikes back
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Muhammad Asif said that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets in retaliation for late-night strikes launched by India.
The IAF has received heavy loss with downing of jets including three Rafales, a Mig-29 and a Sukhoi SU-30, the minister told a television news channel.
Defence Minister expressed satisfaction over PAF’s retaliation to the Indian attack. He said the country’s armed forces were ready to thwart the attack of enemy with full force.
APP reported that Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday stated that India had effectively admitted defeat by raising the white flag at the Line of Control.
Speaking to the media at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad, Tarar praised Pakistan Air Force (PAF) for its swift and powerful response following Indian missile strikes that targeted civilian areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He told reporters that the PAF had shot down five Indian fighter jets and a drone.
