ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday accused India of attempting to “fabricate an anti-Pakistan narrative” by deliberately targeting its own citizens, particularly the Sikh community, amid escalating cross-border tensions.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and military spokesman DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry briefed the media about the latest situation amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India.
Ishaq Dar said that Pakistan did not attack any Indian military installations, rejecting India’s claims as a fabricated story aimed at face-saving.
“India’s Hindutva mindset wants to ignite tensions among Sikhs and create anti-Pakistan sentiment,” Dar said. “By attacking its population, India is trying to open a front against Pakistan.”
“Pakistan categorically denies any intention or action that would endanger the civilian population in Indian Punjab,” said Dar.
He said that the armed forces were fully alert and confronted 75 to 80 Indian aircraft, and successfully shot down five jets 36 hours ago.
“Pakistan is firmly committed to peace and regional harmony,” he added.
However, he condemned the malicious use of drones by India, noting that several Indian drones violated Pakistani airspace.
One of the Indian drones also attempted to target the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, apparently to disrupt the Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches.
“Pakistan remains peaceful, but reserves the right to respond to Indian aggression at a time and place of its choosing,” Dar maintained.
Following India’s air strikes and drone incursions, Pakistan military spokesman warned that “when Pakistan chooses to strike, there will be no need for Indian media, the world will witness and echo the response.”
He added that Pakistan successfully targeted 29 Indian drones with extreme caution.
The military spokesman condemned the Indian propaganda, claiming that Pakistan struck 15 targets in various Indian cities.
DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that India fired four projectiles at Amritsar last night, hitting its own installations. “One of the missiles came toward Pakistan, but it was closely monitored,” he added.
The DG ISPR affirmed that the Pakistan Army and security forces are maintaining strict vigilance.
He questioned the Indian government’s credibility. He mocked Indian claims by saying, “The images circulated linking to alleged Pakistani strikes are so fake that they should be set on fire”. He said India must move out of the theatre and cinema and return to reality.
The military spokesman mentioned that the Pakistan armed forces are monitoring everything coming from India. “The Indian drones shot down today are being examined and undergoing forensic analysis.”
Raising doubts over India’s air defence system, the DG ISPR asked how five Indian fighter jets were downed two days ago when India had full control over the timing and had its air defence deployed.
The ISPR DG warned that when Pakistan chooses to strike, there will be no need for Indian media — the world will witness and echo the response.
The military spokesman added that India launched very small drones today, assuming they would bypass air defences, but Pakistan detected and precisely engaged them according to its strategy.
Pakistan successfully targeted 29 drones with extreme caution. Only one drone explosion caused injuries to four soldiers and minor damage to the defence system.
“India is now blaming Pakistan to cover its own failure,” he added.
