Pakistan is only defending itself: Khawaja Asif

WEB DESK: Following the launch of ‘Operation Sindoor’ by India after 1am on Wednesday across Pakistan which has claimed 26 lives, Minister of Defence Khawaja Asif has maintained that the missiles fired by Pakistan are only retaliation to the attack by its neighbour.

“India has initiated the tension, we are defending ourselves, and if India refrains from further action, we will also do the same. As long as India continues its attacks, we will respond forcefully and defend ourselves,” he said.

Pakistan Army has shot down five enemy aircraft and a drone and these aircraft were shot down when they attacked Pakistani territory. Pakistan Air Force targeted Indian aircraft when they attacked Pakistan.

Indian attacks resulted in 26 martyred, 46 injured: DG ISPR

According to the press conference on Wednesday by DG ISPR, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif among the targeted locations were places of worship, including a mosque in Ahmed Sharqia and another, Bilal Mosque, near Muzaffarabad. Three individuals were reported martyred in the Muzaffarabad attack alone, DG ISPR said.

Abbas Mosque was targeted in Kotli, which resulted in the death of two children. Another mosque was targeted in Muridke, where three people were martyred and one injured, DG ISPR said.

However, no casualties were reported in the attacks on Sialkot and Shakargarh, DG ISPR added.

He said that the Indian Brigade Headquarters was targeted in retaliatory action. In this incident, Neelum Jhelum Hydro Sector was targeted and damaged. Do the laws of war allow dams and hydropower structures to be targeted, he said, adding that national and international flights were operational when India attacked last night.

India has been firing on the Line of Control (LoC) since last night, in which five civilians have been martyred. Pakistan Army gave a befitting and strong response to the enemy, DG ISPR said, “Pakistan’s armed forces gave a befitting response to the enemy’s attack with the full support of their nation.”