RAWALPINDI: The Pakistani military announced early Wednesday that it had shot down five Indian Air Force fighter jets in response to a series of airstrikes conducted by India after midnight.
The Indian operation, reportedly named “Operation Sindoor,” targeted locations in Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh, and Muzaffarabad.
The conflict reportedly began around 1:00 AM when Indian aircraft entered Pakistani airspace and carried out strikes. In retaliation, Pakistan’s Air Force responded swiftly, downing two Indian jets by 2:45 AM, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar. A third jet was confirmed shot down at approximately 3:42 AM.
“We shot down two Indian planes and we are responding to Indian aggression right now as we speak,” Tarar told Sky News, while declining to provide further operational details.
Military spokespersons later updated the situation, confirming no damage to Pakistan’s aircraft. According to state broadcaster PTV, the third downed jet was a Rafale, struck 17 nautical miles southwest of Awantipora.
Meanwhile, Minister Chaudhry, speaking to CNN, identified the crash sites of the first two jets as near Bhatinda in Indian Punjab and Akhnoor in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.
PTV also criticized Indian media, accusing it of circulating “fabricated stories” about Pakistani losses and damage to its air force, asserting that no Pakistani aircraft had been harmed in the exchange.
The situation remains fluid, with ongoing military activity reported along the border regions.
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