Missile Strike
The Pakistan Army on Tuesday claimed to have delivered a “befitting response” to what it described as Indian military aggression, amid rising tensions along the Line of Control (LoC).
According to Pakistani military sources, retaliatory air and ground strikes were carried out in reaction to “unprovoked violations” by Indian forces, particularly in the contested Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The strikes were labeled as “measured yet firm,” with the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) reportedly engaging in a swift counter-operation overnight.
The response followed what Pakistani officials said was an initiation of hostilities by India under the cover of darkness. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian forces launched attacks targeting civilian and military sites across the LoC. In retaliation, the PAF targeted several Indian military positions, leading to significant casualties and equipment losses on the Indian side.
Indian media outlets, including The Hindu and NDTV, reported that at least 10 Indian military personnel were killed, while more than 35 others sustained injuries in air strikes and artillery shelling across multiple regions. The most heavily affected areas included the Poonch region, where reports indicate substantial damage to Indian fortifications and infrastructure.
In a particularly notable development, Indian news channels and international agencies such as Reuters reported the downing of multiple Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft during the aerial engagement.
Confirmed losses allegedly included three Rafale fighter jets, a MiG-29, and a Sukhoi Su-30, shot down over areas such as Bathinda, Awantipora, and Akhnoor. Additionally, an Indian surveillance drone was reported to have been neutralised over the Barnala sector.
While Indian authorities have yet to issue a comprehensive account of the losses, early statements acknowledged “operational setbacks” and stated that further investigations were underway. A spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of Defence declined to provide details, citing national security considerations and ongoing internal reviews.
Pakistan’s ISPR clarified that all military actions were conducted in self-defence and in line with international law. The agency emphasized that Pakistan exercised maximum restraint and only responded after Indian forces had initiated hostilities. “Pakistan reserves the right to respond in kind to any form of aggression,” read the ISPR statement.
The renewed violence has drawn international concern, with foreign policy analysts warning of the potential for escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations. Both Reuters and Al Jazeera corroborated claims of aerial combat and urged diplomatic de-escalation.
As of Tuesday evening, neither Pakistan’s Foreign Office nor India’s Ministry of External Affairs had announced any formal diplomatic engagement or response. However, several international stakeholders have issued calls for restraint, urging both sides to avoid further military confrontation and return to dialogue to preserve regional peace and stability.
