BAGH, Azam Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Thursday that the Pakistan Armed Forces delivered a “strong slap” to India during a four-day conflict in May this year.
Addressing the foundation-laying ceremony of a Daanish School in Hari Ghel, Bagh, in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), PM Sharif said the conflict highlighted the capabilities of Pakistan’s military.
He said that the US President Donald Trump acknowledged Pakistan had “shot down seven brand-new Indian aircraft” and that a recent report submitted to the US Congress validated Pakistan’s decisive success in the conflict.
“The exemplary performance of the Pakistan Armed Forces brought the enemy to its knees, by the grace of Allah,” PM Sharif said.
He credited the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and the bravery of Pakistani soldiers, including the effective use of Al-Fatah missiles deep inside Indian territory.
US report confirms Pakistan’s battlefield success
A report submitted to the US Congress by the US–China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) described the 7–10 May confrontation as a decisive “military success” for Pakistan.
According to the USCC, Pakistan maintained an advantage throughout the clash, which involved aerial strikes and retaliatory attacks between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
The report noted that Pakistan downed Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafale jets. While Pakistan initially claimed five aircraft were destroyed, it later raised the tally to seven, including Rafale jets.
The USCC also cited US President Donald Trump as stating that “eight planes were essentially shot down,” though conflicting claims exist.
— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) November 20, 2025
The clash began after an attack on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi linked to Pakistan without presenting any evidence. Pakistan condemned the attack and strongly rejected the New Delhi allegations as baseless.
Pakistan repeatedly offered an independent and neutral international investigation into the incident. However, India failed to respond to Pakistan’s offer and continued with its aggressive posture.
Following the incident, India launched air strikes on Pakistani cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir on 7 May. Pakistan retaliated swiftly to Indian aggression, leading to tit-for-tat attacks. A ceasefire was secured on 10 May after US intervention.
Economic and regional development
PM Sharif also highlighted Pakistan’s economic agenda, stating that the government was focused on achieving sustainable growth.
He expressed hope that one day, Indian Illegally Occupied Kashmir would be liberated and Daanish Schools established there.
