BAKU, Azerbaijan: Azerbaijan on Thursday voiced concern over escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, condemning New Delhi’s recent military strikes on Pakistani territory.
In a formal letter addressed to Pakistan’s Prime Minister, the Azerbaijani government voiced concern over the current situation and condemned the recent actions of the Indian military.
The message was delivered by Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Khazar Farhadov, who conveyed a special note of support from his government.
“We condemn military attacks against the Islamic Republic of Pakistan that killed and injured several civilians,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Expressing solidarity with Pakistan, the ministry conveyed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery to those injured.
“We call on all parties to exercise restraint and to resolve the conflict through diplomatic means,” it added.
Late on Tuesday, India launched air strikes targeting different cities in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian air strikes kill 31 civilians
Pakistan’s military said India targeted six locations, and at least 31 civilians were killed and 57 others injured in the strikes and cross-border firing along the Line of Control.
The Pakistan armed forces shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a combat drone, and destroyed brigade headquarters, including a number of check posts along the LoC, after New Delhi carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and AJK, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed.
In a press briefing, DG ISPR said Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Ahmedpur Sharqia Bagh and Muridke were hit by Indian missiles. The DG ISPR said that the “cowardly” act will not go unpunished.
In an interview with CNN, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Indian media has itself admitted the crash of three aircraft in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Indian strikes targeted civilians, including women and children, which is a blatant violation of international law,” the Defence Minister added.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in an address to the nation following India’s recent act of aggression, called it a “grave mistake” that will not go unpunished.
Pakistan armed forces down 25 Indian drones
Pakistan military’s media wing, ISPR, on Thursday said that Pakistan’s Armed Forces have successfully shot down 25 Israeli-manufactured Harop drones launched from India, using both soft-kill (technical) and hard-kill (weapons) measures.
According to ISPR, India resorted to these drone attacks in a state of panic following the destruction of five of its modern aircraft, drones, multiple posts, and casualties in its ranks during its cowardly assault on May 6–7.
“So far, 25 Israel-made Harop drones have been shot down by Pakistan’s Armed Forces’ soft kill (technical) and hard kill (weapons) measures,” a statement issued by the ISPR said.
The ISPR said that after Pakistan brought down five modern fighter aircraft and drones and destroyed several posts, causing military casualties, India was attacking Pakistan with Israel-made Harop drones in panic.
“This cowardly attack is a sign of India’s panic and anxiety. India has also suffered and is suffering heavy losses on the Line of Control. Wreckage of Israel-made Harop drones is being recovered from various areas of Pakistan. Pakistan forces are giving a befitting reply to the enemy and are destroying all his intentions,” the statement read.
