Ishaq Dar mocks Indian pilots after PAF downs Rafales

ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has said that the Pakistan Air Force crushed India’s arrogance over Rafale jets and brought down Indian aircraft, making the nation proud. He said that Pakistan showed restraint, otherwise, it could have downed not five but 10 to 12 Indian jets.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Dar said it had been decided that the assembly would be briefed on the overall situation, but the session had to be postponed due to developments that occurred the previous night.

Referring to the April 22 incident in Pahalgam, Dar said the Prime Minister was in Ankara at the time. “We issued a strong condemnation through the Foreign Office, which was noted internationally. The next day, upon our return, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security meeting. While Pakistan was not named, the remarks made were clearly directed against us.”

Also read: We could’ve downed 10 jets but chose restraint: PM Shehbaz

He said India responded by closing the Attari border, reducing the size of Pakistan’s diplomatic mission from 55 to 30, cancelling visas of Pakistani nationals in India, and ordering them to leave the country. “Most astonishingly, India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty — something it cannot do alone,” he added.

Dar said Pakistan’s National Security Committee decided that it would reciprocate India’s actions. “We made it clear in a press conference that our responses were defensive. But if India escalated, we would respond in kind.”

He noted that Pakistan’s conscience was clear, which is why the Prime Minister offered an international investigation within 72 hours. “Had we been involved in any way, we wouldn’t have made such an offer. We shared details with the heads of state or foreign ministers of 26 countries and briefed over 40 foreign ambassadors in Islamabad.”

He reiterated that Pakistan chose not to initiate hostilities and maintained a policy of restraint. “Thanks to God, we stayed the course and proved our commitment to the world.”

‘No evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in Pulwama to date’

The Deputy Prime Minister said that around 1am last night, intelligence suggested India was preparing an attack — similar to the Pulwama incident, which analysts believe may be used as a pretext regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. “To this day, there is no evidence of Pakistan’s involvement in Pulwama.”

He questioned how an attack could have occurred across a 230-kilometre stretch from the Line of Control to Pahalgam, considering India has 700,000 troops stationed in occupied Kashmir. “Were they lying there with their eyes closed?” he asked. “Yet India completed its investigation in just 10 minutes and named Pakistan in the FIR, which clearly indicates premeditation.”

‘Had PAF been given full permission, they would have downed 10 jets’

Dar said the dogfight between Pakistani and Indian air forces lasted an hour. “Pakistan again exercised restraint. The PAF was instructed to only target jets that were dropping payloads — which is why five were shot down. If they had been given permission to shoot at all targets, they would have taken down 10 to 12 aircraft, according to estimates.”

He lauded the Pakistani armed forces, saying they made the nation proud. “That same night, we sent a letter to the UN Security Council, informing them of India’s violation of international law by targeting civilians, despite a session on May 5.”

‘India launched 24 attacks on six locations; Rafales failed due to incompetent pilots’

Dar stated that India launched 24 attacks on six Pakistani locations, resulting in 26 fatalities and 46 injuries. “They even targeted our Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project — a clear violation of international law, which protects water infrastructure even during war.”

He said the Pakistani jets that brought down Indian Rafales were J-10C aircraft developed in collaboration with China. “Some on social media mocked the Rafales, saying the machines were powerful — it was the Indian pilots who were incompetent and couldn’t fight effectively.”

‘PAF shattered India’s arrogance over Rafale jets’

Dar reiterated that the Pakistan Air Force crushed India’s pride in the Rafale jets and brought down Indian aircraft, raising the nation’s standing.

He concluded by saying that the Indian chargé d’affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office and a strong protest was lodged over the attacks. “India’s actions are a blatant violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and go against the UN Charter, international law, and the established principles governing inter-state relations.”