Minister States 50 Indian Soldiers Killed in LoC Clashes
On Thursday, the National Assembly praised Pakistan’s armed forces as the nation’s indomitable protectors, applauding their exceptional strategy and swift destruction of several Indian warplanes, including the highly celebrated Rafale fighter jet, as well as a series of Israeli-made drones.
Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition parties united in their support, declaring that it wasn’t just the Rafale aircraft, but India’s very pride that had been brought down. They also cautioned that India had made a significant misjudgment in interpreting Pakistan’s peace gestures as a sign of weakness.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar informed the house that Pakistan’s military forces, demonstrating remarkable tactical brilliance, had downed 25 drones across various regions of the country. He also revealed that 50 Indian soldiers had been killed in recent clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir.
As the National Assembly continued its fourth consecutive day of discussions on India’s unprovoked actions, Tarar made it clear that Pakistan’s response would come decisively, at a time and location of its choosing.
“Our forces have been given full authority. Now, the timing and place of our response will be determined by us,” he asserted.
Pakistan’s Response to Indian Airstrikes
While briefing lawmakers on the Indian airstrikes that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, the minister stated that India had taken great pride in its Rafale fighter jets, only for Pakistan’s armed forces to dismantle that pride. “It is not just the aircraft, but India’s pride that has fallen,” he remarked.
He elaborated on how Pakistan’s air force responded with such precision to India’s Rafale jets that the enemy was left embarrassed. “Now, India has resorted to using unmanned drones. Today, our forces intercepted 25 such drones—some were jammed using electronic warfare, while others were shot down by our air defense systems,” he added.
Tarar also informed the house that 40 to 50 Indian soldiers had been eliminated along the LoC, and a brigade headquarters had been destroyed. Drawing a comparison to the 2019 capture of Indian pilot Abhinandan, Tarar made a sarcastic remark: “The home delivery of ‘fantastic tea’ has been made.”
Opposition Responds to India’s Aggression
Aamir Dogar, the opposition’s chief whip from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), called Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “the butcher of Gujarat,” accusing him of cowardice for launching attacks under the cover of night.
Former Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) echoed Tarar’s sentiments, stating, “India’s pride has turned to dust along with its Rafale jets.” He pointed out that while India had consistently targeted civilians, Pakistan had only struck military targets.
PPP’s Shazia Marri also weighed in, asserting that India had mistaken Pakistan’s silence for weakness, a mistake that came at a great cost. “The Prime Minister has clearly stated that Pakistan had no involvement in the Pahalgam incident. We even offered to have an international investigation, but India refused,” she remarked.
