MUZAFFARABAD – In a dramatic escalation of hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC), the Pakistan Army on Wednesday forced the Indian military to retreat, raising a white flag at the Churha Complex. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) played a key role in repelling the aggression, reportedly downing five Indian Rafale fighter jets during the operation.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the response came after India launched a series of missile strikes late Tuesday night, targeting multiple locations within Pakistani territory. Thirteen civilians lost their lives, and 35 others sustained injuries as Indian missiles struck Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. A complete blackout followed in parts of Muzaffarabad amid explosions, while the country’s airspace was closed for 48 hours and all flights suspended, with a NOTAM issued by aviation authorities.
Information Minister Atta Tarar confirmed that India had raised a white flag following Pakistan’s decisive retaliation. “They have been forced to wave a white flag,” he stated, emphasizing that several Indian army posts were destroyed. Pakistan Television (PTV) aired footage of a white flag hoisted atop a structure believed to be on the Indian side.
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India’s attack, dubbed “Operation Sindoor”, was reminiscent of its 1965 military strategy, launched under the cover of darkness. However, the swift and calibrated response from Pakistan’s armed forces thwarted any potential gains, inflicting significant damage on enemy positions across the LoC.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to counter any Indian aggression. He warned that any attempt to stop Pakistan’s water or encroach on its land would meet severe consequences. “We will sink them if they try to stop Pakistan’s water,” he said. “Any misadventure will cost the enemy heavily.”
Military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry condemned India’s strikes as a blatant act of war. “Pakistan remains a responsible state, but we will defend our sovereignty at all costs,” he said. He added that Pakistan had already informed the United Nations Security Council of its right to respond appropriately to Indian aggression.
Despite the retaliatory strikes, Pakistan maintained it did not target civilians, in contrast to India’s alleged targeting of the Subhan Allah Mosque in Bahawalpur, which led to civilian casualties. The situation has raised regional and international concerns as analysts warn of a heightened risk of escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
India and Pakistan have fought multiple wars since 1947, primarily over the disputed region of Kashmir. Although both sides recommitted to a 2003 ceasefire agreement in 2021, such targeted strikes remain rare and signal rising tensions between the two countries.
