KEY POINTS
- Rubio said the US is committed to promoting peace and stability in South Asia
- PM Shehbaz said India’s strikes violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and posed a threat to regional peace
- PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter
- Pakistan’s military confirmed shooting down five Indian fighter jets
- ISPR reported 29 Israeli-made Indian drones were shot down
ISLAMABAD: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday, said that the US is closely following the situation in South Asia and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to peace and stability in the region amid the escalating tensions between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India.
According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Shehbaz received a call from Secretary Rubio on Thursday evening.
During the conversation, Secretary Rubio noted that the United States was closely monitoring the situation in South Asia and reiterated Washington’s commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region.
Rubio urged both Pakistan and India to work together to de-escalate the situation, the statement said.
“Both sides agreed to remain in contact,” the statement added.
The Prime Minister conveyed Pakistan’s strong condemnation of India’s missile and drone strikes that had led to the death of 31 civilians, injured 57 others and damaged civilian infrastructures.
“India’s attacks had violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region,” PM Shehbaz added.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s firm resolve to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.
He noted that the people of Pakistan were outraged by India’s unprovoked acts of war, and stressed that Pakistan reserved the right to act in self-defence, in accordance with Article-51 of the UN Charter.
The Prime Minister appreciated President Trump’s concern over the current security situation in South Asia.
India’s attack kills 31 Pakistani civilians
Late on Tuesday, India launched air strikes targeting different cities in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
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 29 Indian drones
Pakistan military’s media wing, ISPR, on Thursday said that Pakistan’s Armed Forces have successfully shot down 29 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.
ALSO READ: Pakistan Downs 25 Israel-Made Harop Drones Used in Indian Attacks
“So far, 29 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.
Pakistan warns of befitting response
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has categorically stated that Pakistan will deliver a strong and befitting response to what he described as “cowardly Indian aggression carried out in the darkness of night”.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Thursday, the Information Minister mentioned that the National Security Committee has authorised the armed forces to respond at a time and place of their own choosing.
The Information Minister said that India had great pride in its superior technology Rafale jets, but “our Air Force deserves appreciation for bringing that pride to dust”. He said this also manifests Pakistan’s superiority in conventional warfare.
Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan has also shot down 25 Indian drones through hard and soft hits.
He mentioned that Pakistan has inflicted heavy losses on Indian forces along the line of control. “Their 40 to 50 soldiers have also been killed.” He said the country’s defence is in strong and safe hands and the armed forces are fully prepared.
The Information Minister said the entire nation stands with the armed forces of Pakistan to respond to the Indian aggression.
