Pakistan defends sovereignty amid Indian escalation, scores major tactical wins

ISLAMABAD: On the night of 6/7 May, India launched what Pakistan described as an illegal and irresponsible act of aggression based on a flimsy counter-terrorism pretext—if any existed at all. Notably, India has neither presented any evidence to support its allegations of Pakistani involvement nor accepted Islamabad’s offer for an impartial, neutral investigation. This, Pakistani officials say, underscores India’s premeditated intent to provoke conflict. The strikes reportedly targeted civilian sites.

In response, Pakistan said it acted in self-defence, launching what it called a responsible but aggressive counter-operation. During this operation, Indian Air Force assets were reportedly shot down, resulting in the deaths of three pilots. Pakistani authorities have hailed this as an unprecedented military success against India’s state-of-the-art platforms, with global recognition reinforcing the significance of the achievement. Additionally, around 40 to 50 Indian Army soldiers were said to have been killed in targeted attacks on posts, battalion headquarters, and even a brigade headquarters. India’s reluctance to publicly acknowledge these losses, Pakistan contends, aligns with its history of suppressing or ignoring military setbacks. Islamabad pointed to India’s decision to award the Vir Chakra to pilot Abhinandan—despite the loss of his aircraft and a U.S. confirmation that no Pakistani F-16 was downed—as a telling example.

The situation escalated further during the night of 7/8 May, as India allegedly continued its aggression by targeting three categories of sites. These included Sikh religious locations within India—a move Pakistan interprets as an attempt to intimidate the Sikh community, frame Pakistan for attacks against Sikhs to create internal discord, and use the wreckage to falsely claim it had downed Pakistani aircraft. In addition, military installations were targeted to weaken Pakistan’s defensive and offensive capacities, while civilian areas were also struck to create public disillusionment.

Despite this, Pakistan reported successfully defending itself once again, having downed 25 Indian drones, specifically the Israeli-made HAROP variety, in various locations across the country. Pakistani authorities emphasised that while flying drones is routine, shooting them down is a significant military feat and a testament to the preparedness and capability of Pakistan’s defence forces. Officials believe that India’s continued aggression stems from frustration over the reputational damage it sustained during the events of 6/7 May.

Looking ahead, officials in Islamabad stated that while India took two weeks to launch its offensive after the Pahalgam incident, Pakistan will respond to the ongoing belligerence at a time and place of its choosing—consistent with national sentiment and strategic interests. The public, they added, should maintain full confidence in the capabilities of Pakistan’s armed forces.

What is the Israeli-made Harop drone?

Finally, Pakistani authorities warned of an ongoing disinformation and psychological warfare campaign by India, aimed at undermining public morale and trust in the country’s institutions. Citizens were urged to verify information before sharing it to avoid falling prey to misinformation designed to destabilise the nation from within.