PAKISTAN – India’s Operation Sindoor updates – In the early hours of May 7, the Indian Army launched an operation dubbed “Operation Sindoor” in response to what India says is to “disrupt cross-border terrorism networks at their source.” This was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22.
The strikes targeted several locations which India says were terror camps, logistics hubs, command centers, and safe houses used to funnel men and military materials and equipment into India.
According to Pakistan, at least 31 people were killed and 46 injured.
India hailed the strikes as precise and not targeting the Pakistani army locations, so as “to maintain regional stability.”
Pakistan Downs 5 Indian Jets
The Pakistani Air Force has downed five Indian Air Force jets following missile strikes by India. Pakistan’s defense chief said early Wednesday.
“The Pakistan Air Force has shot down at least five Indian fighter jets in response to India’s recent cross-border aggression,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed to private broadcaster Geo TV.
Earlier, military spokesman Lt. Gene. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed downing two aircraft of the Indian Air Force, according to CNN.
“There are other reports of multiple damage that Pakistani forces, both on the ground and air, have inflicted. But I can confirm to you that at least two aircraft of the Indian Air Force has been downed,” Chaudhry added.
There was no immediate reaction from Indian authorities to Pakistani state media reports about the downing of the jets.
Earlier, India launched missile attacks targeting several cities in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
Military spokesperson Chaudhry said India had fired missiles on the cities of Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh, Muzaffarabad and Kotli from its air space.
According to Pakistani security sources, the downed Indian aircraft were targeted “while attempting to strike Pakistan using Indian airspace.”
They included three Rafale jets, a MiG-29, and one SU-30, the sources added.
Indian Charge D’affaires Summoned by Pakistan
Pakistan Wednesday summoned the Indian charge d’affaires in Islamabad to lodge a protest over last night’s military strikes on multiple locations that killed at least 26 people, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.
“It was conveyed that India’s blatant act of aggression constitutes a clear violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. “Such actions are in contravention of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms governing inter-state relations,” the ministry said in a statement.
Pakistan “firmly” rejected India’s “baseless justifications for its hostile conduct,” it added.
“The Indian side was warned that such reckless behavior poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability,” the statement concluded.
Pakistan says Won’t Tolerate Violation of Sovereignty
Pakistan on Wednesday reiterated its commitment to peace with longtime rival India but warned that it will not allow violation of its sovereignty.
“Pakistan remains committed to peace, with dignity and honor, and reiterates that it shall never allow any violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity, or permit any harm to its proud people,” the nation’s top security body said in a statement after its emergency meeting in the capital Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting, which was also attended by the three services chiefs and key Cabinet members.
The huddle was held hours after India said it carried out overnight missile strikes on “nine terrorist locations” across Pakistan. The Pakistan army said that the strikes and cross-border firing from the Indian troops killed at least 31 people, including five in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and injured 46 others.
At least nine people were also killed in Indian-administered Kashmir due to cross-border firing, the region’s ruling National Conference said.
