Pakistan downs 5 Indian jets as retaliation for late-night strikes at 6 sites: officials – Pakistan

The Pakistani army has introduced down 5 Indian jets in retaliation for late-night strikes launched by its neighbouring nation at six websites, together with in Punjab’s Sialkot and Bahawalpur, in addition to Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

The army confrontation between Pakistan and India started a bit after 1am on Wednesday with the Indian air strikes when the neighbouring nation launched what it termed “Operation Sindoor”. Quickly after studies emerged, the Inter-Providers Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed the strikes, saying that India had carried out the assaults from inside its airspace. The army spokesperson offered an up to date injury evaluation of the state of affairs at round 4am, reporting the loss of life of eight civilians.

Info Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the downing of two Indian jets round 2:45am after Pakistan launched its swift response, whereas the affirmation for the third airplane, a Rafale plane, got here an hour later. Affirmation of the fourth and fifth Indian jets being taken down got here after 5am by Tarar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif.

Offering additional updates on the casualties, ISPR Director Common Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry mentioned the variety of lives had risen to 26 civilians throughout six localities that India hit, with 46 injured.

White flag by India on LoC: Tarar

Talking to the media around 7am at the information ministry, Tarar asserted that India had waved a white flag at the Line of Control and “accepted defeat”. The minister said this as footage of a white flag played in the background.

“They have been forced to wave a white flag,” Tarar said. PTV News also shared footage of a white flag hoisted seemingly on prime of a construction.

In response to PTV News, the white flag was hoisted by the Indian military on the Chora Advanced alongside the LoC.

Tarar additional mentioned that “several” posts of the Indian military throughout the border had been destroyed by the armed forces.

He recalled that Pakistan had known as for a probe into the Pahalgam assault however India “conducted this attack and then fled from it”. “It is a cause of shame for them that they targeted innocent labourers and citizens,” he added.

In response to the minister, Pakistan didn’t goal any civilians in India in its retaliatory actions.

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Key highlights:

• India launches late-night strikes at websites of Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad
• Eight Pakistanis slain, 35 injured, mosques focused
• 5 Indian jets downed in army retaliation
• Indian brigade headquarters, Indian checkpost alongside LoC destroyed
• Flights on floor placed on maintain whereas all inbound, outbound flights diverted to Karachi
• Nationwide Safety Committee assembly summoned at 10am
• Trump phrases India’s actions a “shame”; China and UN name for restraint

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In an interview to Bloomberg TV, Defence Minister Asif mentioned that Pakistan has shot down 5 Indian planes and a number of unmanned aerial automobiles, with checkposts destroyed alongside the Line of Management.

Equally, showing on Geo Information at 5:09am, Info Minister Attaullah Tarar additionally mentioned that Pakistan had downed 5 Indian jets.

“[We shot jets down] in Akhnoor, Ambala, Barnala and in Jammu. We also shot down quadcopters and a big drone,” he said. “It is an ongoing situation, we need to see what India does.”

The army, Reuters reported, mentioned the 5 Indian fighter jets included three Rafale planes and one every of Russian planes, a Su-30 and MiG-29.

A spokesman for the army instructed Reuters Indian planes had been solely focused after they attacked Pakistan.

There was no phrase from India on the downing of the jets, which might be probably the most severe loss for the Indian army in a long time and risked additional escalation.

The Rafale fighter is a brand new addition to India’s army, a part of a plan to modernise its army, cut back dependence on Russian-origin gear, and enhance home weapons manufacturing to provide forces deployed alongside two contentious borders with Pakistan and China.

Earlier than the conflict, the Indian Air Pressure operated 36 Rafale fighters, whereas the navy’s plane fleet primarily includes Russian MiG-29 jets.

India signed a take care of France’s Dassault Aviation on Monday to purchase one other 26 Rafale fighter plane price 630 billion rupees ($7.4bn) for its navy in late April.

Tarar earlier mentioned that Pakistan’s army response was ongoing however didn’t share operational particulars. “We shot down two Indian planes and we are responding to Indian aggression right now as we speak,” he instructed British broadcaster Sky Information.

“Indian media, in a state of frenzy, is continuously running fabricated stories about losses of Pakistani Air Force and false claims of damaged aircraft,” PTV had mentioned, stating, “No Pakistan Air Force aircraft has sustained any damage.”

The prime minister has summoned a gathering of the Nationwide Safety Committee at 10am.

Within the wake of the assault, Punjab has shut all academic establishments throughout the province at this time, and all exams scheduled for at this time have been postponed, based on a notification from the Punjab Increased Schooling Division.

“However, examinations scheduled by [or] on behalf of International Examining bodies shall not be affected by this postponement,” the notification mentioned.

The strikes come as tensions have been escalating intensely between the 2 nations within the wake of a militant assault in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

The April 22 assault in Pahalgam killed 26 folks, largely vacationers, in one of many deadliest assaults since 2000. India, with out investigation or proof, implied “cross-border linkages” of the att­a­­­c­kers. Pakistan has firmly rejected the declare and known as for a impartial probe.

Final week, Pakistan bolstered its forces because it anticipated an incursion and India’s premier granted “operational freedom” to his army. The army had warned of a “swift” response to any misadventure by New Delhi, whereas diplomatic channels had remained engaged to forestall escalation.

ISPR damage assessment: 4am

In a short press briefing, DG Chaudhry provided the stats from the damage assessment: “A total of 24 impacts have been reported by India, with different weapons, in six localities. In these six localities, eight Pakistanis have been slain, 35 have been injured and two are missing, based on our damage assessment.”

“In [Bahwalpur’s] Ahmedpur East, Subhan mosque was targeted,” he added. “Here, there were four strikes and five innocent Pakistanis were slain, including a three-year-old girl. Thirty-one civilians have been injured, including 25 men and six women.”

He said one mosque was destroyed, while four quarters in which people were living were also destroyed.

“In Muzaffarabad, Bilal mosque was targeted. There were seven impacts, in which one girl has been injured and a mosque was destroyed,” the DG ISPR said.

“In Kotli, Abbat Mosque was targeted. There were five impacts and two people died, including a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. A woman and her daughter are both injured,” DG Chaudhry added.

“In Muridke, Umalkura Mosque was targeted and there were four strikes. One man has been slain, while another is injured. Two people are missing,” he said. “A mosque has been destroyed and potters have sustained economic damages,” DG Chaudhry added.

“In Sialkot district, in the village of Kotki Lohara, there were two strikes,” he added. “One missile misfired, while one fell in an open field. There was no damage.”

“Near Shakargarh, there were two strikes with no damage. There was minor damage to a dispensary,” he added.

The DG ISPR said that the “unprovoked, cowardly attack” will be met with a befitting response. “We are giving it and will continue to give it,” he said.

A statement by state broadcaster PTV News, quoting security sources, said: “Pakistani forces are giving a befitting reply to Indian aggression. According to initial reports, the Pakistan Air Force has shot down two enemy aircraft. All Pakistani Air Force aircraft are safe. Pakistan armed forces are giving a befitting reply to the enemy’s aggression.”

PTV reported that Pakistan had also destroyed an Indian brigade headquarters in a retaliatory strike. It did not specify the location of the retaliatory strike.

A post from the broadcaster said that India is being given a “befitting response” at multiple locations.

PTV additionally reported that an Indian checkpost along the Line of Control in AJK’s Dudhnial sector was destroyed in a missile strike. It also shared footage of an Indian checkpost that the Pakistan Military destroyed alongside the LoC in AJK’s Kot Kotera sector.

Citing safety sources, PTV Information said that the armed forces additionally shot down an Indian drone within the Barnala district of India’s Punjab. It additionally posted footage of white smoke rising from a forest space, saying it was from a destroyed Indian jet.

“Pak forces are responding to the naked aggression of the enemy,” the broadcaster mentioned, citing safety sources.

Showing on British broadcaster Sky Information round 2:45am, Tarar mentioned Pakistan’s response is ongoing, however didn’t share operational particulars.

When requested concerning the potential for escalation, Tarar mentioned it “is an evolving situation”.

He reiterated that Pakistan was anticipating an assault by India and mentioned that “they would be the aggressor”.

“We offered an investigation into the whole Pahalgam episode, we wanted a fair and transparent investigation. But … India, without evidence, has targeted civilians, women and children. India had no right to do that,” he added.

“As the minister for information, I have occupied a seat of responsibility,” Tarar mentioned. “I have taken an oath and I will give you verified information.”

When requested why India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam assault, Tarar replied: “This area (Pahalgam) is a good 200km from the LoC. The FIR was filed in 10 minutes, but police arrived after one and a half hours.”

Tarar accused India of “running away” from an investigation into the Pahalgam assault and accused India’s governing celebration of “wanting a reason to attack Pakistan”.

“We have a high morale and we will respond to Indian aggression,” he mentioned.

“India has no evidence whatsoever to link Pakistan to this incident,” he pressured. “India has attacked civilians … without any justifiable cause and because we have the right to self-defence, we will defend our country, we will respond.”

Questioned about terrorists discovered hiding in Pakistan up to now, together with Al-Qaeda mastermind Osama bin Laden, Tarar rejected the allegations and reiterated that Pakistan was going through terrorist assaults “every second week”.

“If you’re talking about the history — the Soviet invasion, the cold war — then that’s a different story,” he mentioned.

Tarar additionally maintained that the US had thanked Pakistan for its efforts within the conflict in opposition to terrorism and “for the good fight we are fighting”.

“India will now face Pakistan’s very fierce response, because we are never the aggressors,” he mentioned.

Referring to Pahalgam, Tarar mentioned India “is questioning its own government”.

“They have no evidence, they have no facts and they ran away from the investigation which Pakistan had offered,” the minister added. They attacked our civilians, they attacked our mosque at this time, they attacked 5 localities. Pakistan will now reply and can reply very, very successfully.

“Our desire for peace should not be mistaken for weakness,” he mentioned.

When requested about India’s strikes, Tarar mentioned that no terrorist infrastructure was hit.

“After I took international and native journalists to a village close to the LoC … tomorrow morning, I used to be planning to take them to Bahawalpur and Muridke to point out them the place the strikes have occurred, to point out that the native inhabitants resides there.

“We totally deny India’s allegations regarding terrorists,” Tarar maintained. “We have complete evidence that women and children have been targeted, there are civilian casualties in this and we will bring the evidence to foreign and local media. There are no terrorist camps.”

Questioned about the opportunity of de-escalation, Tarar mentioned that the state of affairs is ongoing, including, “let’s see how it turns out”.

Talking to ARY Information at 1:06am concerning the preliminary particulars of the assault, DG Chaudhry mentioned: “All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India’s airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan.”

He famous: “Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered.”

“This temporary happiness that India has achieved with this cowardly attack will be replaced with enduring grief.”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif instructed ARY Information that civilian areas had been attacked.

“The attacks were carried out on civilian areas,” Asif mentioned, including that the “cowards” attacked from their very own airspace. “They never left their house. Let them come out, we will respond fittingly.”

When requested about Pakistan’s choices, Asif replied that Pakistan will retaliate.

“We will give a far greater response than their own strike,” the minister mentioned. “Not only did they attack civilians but they did it from their own airspace.”

On Geo Information, Asif clarified that the strikes had been launched from inside India’s airspace.

“Women and children have been martyred in civilian areas. India is claiming it was targeting terrorist camps,” he mentioned. “There is no such thing, international media can visit the targets so that India’s lies are exposed. We are offering international media to come wherever attacks have happened.”

The defence minister additional mentioned: “They don’t have the courage to attack us in our airspace, and they are firing on women and children. Mosques have been destroyed.”

He vowed that “we will give a befitting response,” he mentioned. “They will immediately receive their due.”

A number of loud explosions had been heard in Azad Jammu and Kashmir near the mountains across the metropolis of Muzaffarabad after midnight, a number of Reuters witnesses mentioned.

After the explosions, town’s energy was blacked out, the witnesses mentioned.

Confirming the event, the Indian authorities mentioned: “A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor” and hit infrastructure in Pakistan and AJK from which it alleged “terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed”.

“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution,” it mentioned within the statement.

‘Cowardly attack’

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the “cowardly attack”, stating that Pakistan “reserves the right to respond forcefully to this warlike act imposed by India”.

“The deceitful enemy has carried out a cowardly attack on five locations in Pakistan,” the PM wrote. “Pakistan fully reserves the right to respond forcefully to this warlike act imposed by India, and a robust response is being given.

“The entire nation stands with the Pakistan Armed Forces, and the morale and spirit of the entire Pakistani nation are high. The Pakistani nation and the Pakistan Armed Forces know well how to deal with the enemy,” he added.

“We will never allow the enemy to succeed in its nefarious objectives.”

In another post on X at 4am, the PM wrote, “The treacherous enemy has launched a cowardly attack on five locations within Pakistan. This heinous act of aggression will not go unpunished.

“Pakistan reserves the absolute right to respond decisively to this unprovoked Indian attack — a resolute response is already underway,” he wrote, adding that the entire nation stands united behind its armed forces, and morale and resolve “remain unshaken”.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave officers and soldiers of Pakistan,” the PM added. “The people of Pakistan and its forces are fully prepared to confront and defeat any threat with our strength and determination. The enemy will never be allowed to achieve its malicious aims.”

A statement from the presidency said President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned India’s cross-border aggression against Pakistan that targeted the civilian population.

“Pakistan will give a befitting reply to Indian aggression. Indian provocation will be countered with full force and unwavering resolve to protect Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Targeting civilian areas, unprovoked Indian attack is a clear violation of international law, UN Charter and Pakistan’s sovereignty. The entire Pakistani nation is united behind its brave armed forces.

“India’s cowardly actions expose the true face of a fascist regime. The Indian government is ready to put regional peace and security at stake to advance its political agenda,” the president said.

He said Pakistan’s armed forces were fully prepared and capable of defending every inch of the motherland.

In a post on X, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar strongly condemned the attacks, accusing India of “jeopardising regional peace”.

“Pakistan strongly condemns India’s aggression, which is [a] flagrant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty, the UN Charter and international law,” he wrote. “Pakistan reserves the right to respond as per Article 51 of the UN Charter. We will protect our sovereignty & territorial integrity by all means.”

“Pakistan must launch an immediate strong counter strike against India. We have to teach India and fascist Modi a lesson India will never forget. It is imperative that PM Imran Khan is released from Adiala because he is the single person who can unify the country,” demanded Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub.

The Foreign Office said that in an unprovoked and blatant act of conflict, the Indian Air Pressure, whereas remaining inside Indian airspace, violated Pakistan’s sovereignty utilizing standoff weapons, focusing on the civilian inhabitants throughout worldwide border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, and throughout Line of Management in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

“India’s act of aggression has resulted in martyrdom of civilians, together with girls and youngsters. This act of aggression has additionally prompted grave risk to industrial air visitors.

“We strongly condemn India’s cowardly motion, which is a flagrant violation of the UN Constitution, worldwide regulation, and established norms of inter-state relations.

Within the wake of Pahalgam assault, the Indian management has as soon as once more used the bogey of terrorism to advance its sham narrative of victimhood, jeopardising regional peace and safety. India’s reckless motion has introduced the 2 nuclear-armed states nearer to a serious battle.“

The FO mentioned the state of affairs continues to evolve and Pakistan reserves the suitable to reply appropriately at a time and place of its selecting, in accordance with the Article-51 of the UN Constitution, and as enshrined in worldwide regulation.

“The government, armed forces and people of Pakistan stand united in the face of Indian aggression. They will always act with iron resolve to protect and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan.”

“We the people of Pakistan stand together as a nation against this ugly, senseless, foolish Indian aggression. We are shoulder to shoulder with our fighting forces and will defend our homeland against this cowardly Indian attack,” mentioned former president Arif Alvi.

Former FM and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari mentioned: “I strongly condemn India’s cowardly attack on Pakistani territory and civilian targets. Such acts of aggression will not go unanswered. Pakistan’s brave armed forces, including our valiant Air Force, are responding with resolve. Any misadventure will be met with full force. Pakistan stands united.”

He mentioned India’s “cowardly and unprovoked attacks on civilian targets” had been acts of conflict. “The targeting of innocent women and children is not strength, it is savagery. Pakistan’s armed forces, backed by an unbreakable nation, are responding with full force. Every aggression will be crushed. We will not tolerate violations of our sovereignty. Pakistan is united, defiant, and ready.”

When requested by reporters on the White Home concerning the strikes, US President Donald Trump known as India’s actions a “shame”.

“It’s a shame we just heard about it … I guess people knew something was going to happen, based on a little bit of the past. They’ve been fighting for a long time,” he mentioned. “They’ve been fighting for many decades … I just hope it ends very quickly.”

In the meantime, the White Home mentioned Rubio has spoken along with his counterparts from India and Pakistan, encouraging each side to interact in discussions to settle the escalating army confrontation.

“He is encouraging India and Pakistan to re-open a channel between their leadership to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation,” mentioned US Nationwide Safety Council spokesman Brian Hughes in a press release.

Indian Nationwide Safety Adviser Ajit Doval briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shortly after New Delhi’s strikes, the Indian embassy in Washington mentioned.

Rubio later posted on X that he was “monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely”. He echoed Trump’s feedback earlier at this time that this hopefully ends rapidly and can proceed to interact each Indian and Pakistani management in direction of a peaceable decision,“ he mentioned.

United Nations Secretary Common Antonio Guterres was very involved about Indian army operations in Pakistan and AJK, his spokesperson mentioned, whereas calling for optimum army restraint from each nations.

“The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”

China known as on each side to train restraint and put peace and stability first, its international ministry mentioned in response to the army escalation.

The Chinese language ministry mentioned in a press release that it regrets India’s army motion and is worried concerning the present state of affairs.

United Arab Emirates International Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed known as on India and Pakistan to train restraint, de-escalate tensions and keep away from additional escalation that threatens regional and worldwide peace, the Emirati state information company WAM reported early on Wednesday.

The minister pressured the significance of heeding the voices calling for dialogue and mutual understanding to forestall army escalation, strengthen stability in South Asia, and keep away from additional regional tensions, WAM added.

In response to the International Workplace, Turkish FM Hakan Fidan known as Dar to specific Turkiye’s solidarity with Pakistan “against India’s unprovoked aggression violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and killing innocent civilians”.

“He (Fidan) expressed concern over the deteriorating regional security situation. Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination on the evolving situation,” the FO wrote in a post on X.

The FO mentioned that on Dar’s course, Pakistan’s everlasting consultant to the United Nations in New York has knowledgeable the UN Safety Council of India’s open aggression and threats to worldwide peace and safety.

Michael Kugelman, an knowledgeable on Washington’s relations with South Asian nations, famous: “India’s strike on Pakistan is of a lot larger scale than the one in 2019.

“Pakistan’s response, which according to many reports included downing several Indian jets, has also exceeded the scale of 2019. They’re already higher up the escalatory ladder than any time in [the] 2019 crisis,” he added.

Pakistan airspace closed as of now following Indian strikes: sources

Meanwhile, sources in the Civil Aviation Authority said Pakistan’s airspace was to be completely closed and the Islamabad International Airport was closed for flights, with all flights diverted to Karachi airport.

The sources said the airspace was initially closed for 48 hours and all flights were cancelled, with passengers advised to return home.

“Major change in air routes in the region. All foreign flights rerouted to Pakistani airspace. Foreign flights leave Pakistani airspace and head towards the Arabian Sea. Flights withdrawn from Pak-India airspace, new route to the Arabian Sea adopted. International flights away from Pakistani airspace,” the sources said.

British news outlet The Guardian quoted Pakistan Worldwide Airways as saying that every one home and worldwide flights on the bottom have been placed on maintain whereas all inbound and outbound flights are being diverted to Karachi.

“Authorities have advised passengers not to come to the airport and to return home,” it reported.

The Flight Radar 24 on-line tracker confirmed that worldwide flights to Karachi had been nonetheless scheduled.

In the meantime, the British International Workplace issued a journey advisory advising in opposition to all however important journey to Pakistan.

Qatar Airways briefly suspended flights to Pakistan.

A number of Asian airways mentioned on Wednesday they had been re-routing or cancelling flights to and from Europe due to the combating, Reuters reported.

The airways included Thai Airways, Vietnam Airways and Taiwan’s China Airways and Taiwan’s EVA Air.

Prepared at any time: Khawaja Asif

Earlier, Asif mentioned {that a} conflict with India “can happen anytime” amid the ongoing tensions between the two countries in the wake of a militant attack in occupied Kashmir.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) earlier in the day, where he was briefed on the country’s preparation for a “conventional threat”. Asif was also part of the visit.

Speaking in an interview on Geo News show ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’ on the briefings in the ISI HQ, the defence minister reiterated that he had already said before that a clash with India was imminent.

“That is still imminent today and can happen anytime,” he said, adding that a confrontation could be “one of the choice” India could want to adopt but “we have developed a countermeasure for every choice, whether that is a surgical strike or ground attack or air attack or naval engagement.

“We are ready for them everywhere at all times.”

He said the “crux” of today’s briefing was that “every kind of incursion or attack is being expected from them.”

Asif added that the briefing also delved into Pakistan’s strategy for responding to any situation.

Questioned about the chance of an ambush on a large scale, the minister said such actions were always taken on a small scale and added that he did not see any possibility of a big ambush or movement since it was detected immediately.

“We are continuously monitoring them,” he said, referring to Indian activities on the border. “Everything is in our watch. It is not the matter that they’re doing something hidden, which will cause an ambush.”

Asif said Pakistan’s preparation was complete and the government would not sit idly by. “A befitting response will be given to them at every level the moment they make a move.”

Meanwhile, the United States on Tuesday again called for calm between India and Pakistan, after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned of stopping water from flowing across borders.

“We continue to urge Pakistan and India to work towards a responsible resolution that maintains long-term peace and regional stability in South Asia,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.

She did not comment on Modi’s latest comments but said that the US was “aware of various reports” on the situation and was “engaged”. “We remain in touch with the governments of both countries at multiple levels,” she said.

Pakistan has also taken the matter to the United Nations Security Council, which was briefed on the country’s stance on the Pahalgam attack and India’s “unsubstantiated” allegations.

In the latest moves by the two nuclear-armed nations, the Civil Defence in Rawalpindi has activated its 14 posts in the garrison city while all states in India were set to conduct mock drills for “effective civil defence”.

PM Shehbaz briefed on country’s preparations during visit to ISI HQ

PM Shehbaz’s visit to the ISI HQ in Islamabad entailed a detailed briefing on the prevailing security environment, “with a particular focus on preparedness for [a] conventional threat in the light of India’s increasingly aggressive and provocative posture along Pakistan’s eastern border”, a statement from the PM Workplace (PMO) mentioned.

“The leadership was apprised of regional security developments and the evolving threat matrix, including conventional military options, hybrid warfare tactics and terrorist proxies,” it added.

The premier was accompanied by Deputy PM Ishaq Dar, Asif and the providers chiefs, the PMO mentioned.

The providers chiefs — Chief of Military Employees Common Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Employees Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar — had been a part of the visiting workforce, based on a gaggle photograph launched on the event.

The image additionally confirmed ISI Director Common Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik — who was just lately appointed because the nation’s nationwide safety adviser — and the DG ISPR current there.

PM Shehbaz and the accompanying dignitaries “underscored the imperative of heightened national vigilance, seamless inter-agency coordination, and reinforced operational readiness to deter and decisively respond to any violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, the PMO mentioned.

Commending the ISI’s “professionalism and strategic acumen”, the prime minister lauded its “critical role in safeguarding national interests and enabling informed national security decision-making under complex and dynamic conditions”.

“Pakistan Army is one of the most professional and disciplined force in the world,” the premier was quoted as saying. He reaffirmed that your entire nation was standing with “our brave armed forces”.

“The leadership reaffirmed Pakistan’s unambiguous resolve to defend the homeland against all threats — conventional or otherwise,” the assertion learn.

The leaders reiterated that with the nation’s full help, the armed forces, supported by all different parts of nationwide energy and state establishments, remained “fully prepared to uphold Pakistan’s security, prestige, and honour under all circumstances”.

PM Shehbaz additionally visited the newly established Nationwide Intelligence Fusion and Risk Evaluation Centre (Niftac) and formally inaugurated its state-of-the-art headquarters, “which will serve as the central node for coordinating Pakistan’s national counterterrorism strategy”, the PMO mentioned.

“Niftac, a federal institution, integrates over 50 relevant federal and provincial departments and agencies into a unified intelligence and threat management architecture supported by a centralised national database.”

The assertion added that on the subnational degree, Niftac is linked to 6 Provincial Intelligence Fusion and Risk Evaluation Centres (Piftacs), together with these in AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, guaranteeing seamless coordination from the federation to the provinces.

Commending the efforts of all stakeholders concerned in operationalising this important functionality, the prime minister described Niftac as a quintessential nationwide platform for collaborative risk evaluation and response. He underscored that “dismantling the nexus between terrorism, illicit networks, and external sponsorship requires robust and efficient institutional mechanisms.”

PM Shehbaz mentioned Niftac would play a pivotal function in uprooting terrorism and its help constructions from the nation.

Modi vows to cease waters key to Pakistan

In the meantime, Modi mentioned that water from India that after flowed throughout borders could be stopped.

Modi didn’t point out Pakistan particularly, however his speech comes after New Delhi suspended its a part of the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), which governs water crucial for consumption and agriculture.

“India’s water used to go outside, now it will flow for India”, Modi mentioned in a speech in New Delhi. “India’s water will be stopped for India’s interests, and it will be utilised for India.”

Pakistan has warned that tampering with its rivers could be thought-about “an act of war”.

Nonetheless, specialists additionally identified that India’s current dams should not have the capability to dam or divert water and might solely regulate the timing of after they launch flows.

Islamabad accused India of altering the circulate of the Chenab River, one in every of three rivers positioned underneath Pakistan’s management based on the IWT.

“We have witnessed changes in the river (Chenab) which are not natural at all,” Punjab Irrigation Minister Kazim Pirzada instructed AFP.

“The majority impact will be felt in areas which have fewer alternate water routes,” Pirzada warned.

“One day the river had normal inflow and the next day it was greatly reduced,” Pirzada added.

In AJK, giant portions of water from India had been reportedly released on April 26, according to the Jinnah Institute.

“This is being done so that we don’t get to utilise the water,” Pirzada added.

Afghan FM hails Pakistan’s steps to ease trade, travel amid tensions with India

On Tuesday, the FO Dar held a telephonic conversation with Afghan Acting FM Amir Khan Muttaqi who “appreciated Pakistan’s proactive steps to ease trade and facilitate travel”, amid rising tensions with India.

It added that Muttaqi extended an invitation to Dar to visit Afghanistan again. “He conveyed prayers and best wishes for the government and people of Pakistan,” the FO said.

Dar also briefed his Afghan counterpart on recent provocation and “illegal and unilateral measures” by India against Pakistan, reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to peace and safeguarding its sovereignty.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the pace of progress made by the two sides in bilateral relations since the deputy PM’s visit to Afghanistan on April 19, with a focus on trade, connectivity, economic cooperation, people-to-people contacts and reactivating political consultative mechanisms.

The two sides also agreed on the importance of maintaining high-level contacts for fostering long-term cooperation to promote peace and security in the region and beyond, the statement concluded.

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Header image: The wreckage of a mosque is seen after Indian strikes in Muzaffarabad, AJK on May 7, 2025. — AFP

Additional reporting by Abdullah Momand.