By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani fighter jets intercepted four Indian Rafale aircraft conducting overnight patrols near the Kashmir border, forcing them to retreat, state media reported on Wednesday, as cross-border hostilities between the nuclear-armed rivals escalated following a deadly attack in the disputed region last week.
State-run PTV News and Radio Pakistan reported that the Indian jets were detected during a routine patrol over occupied Kashmir but did not cross the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the territory.
“PAF jets promptly detected the presence of these Indian warplanes,” PTV News reported. “As a result of PAF’s (Pakistan Air Force) diligent action, the Indian Rafale jets panicked and were forced to flee.”
The aerial encounter followed a series of incidents along the LoC this week. On Tuesday, Pakistan’s military said it shot down two Indian quadcopters that allegedly crossed into its airspace in the Bhimber and Poonch sectors of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Tensions have soared since an April 22 attack on tourists in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam area, which killed 26 people. India has accused Pakistan of involvement, a claim Islamabad denies. Pakistan has called for a “credible and transparent investigation” into the assault.
The neighbors have since imposed reciprocal measures. India suspended a water-sharing pact under the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty and sealed its border with Pakistan, which responded by closing its airspace to Indian flights.
Separately, Pakistani troops retaliated against what state media called “unprovoked” Indian firing in the Kayani and Mandal sectors overnight, using small arms.
“According to security sources, on the night of April 29 and 30, India violated the ceasefire on the LoC. India opened unprovoked fire in the Kayani and Mandal sectors of the LoC,” PTV reported.
“Security sources have confirmed that the Pakistan Army has responded forcefully and given a befitting reply to the Indian Army. The enemy has been silenced with an effective response.”
PTV reported that Indian bunkers, including the “Chakpatra post,” were destroyed in the response. “There are also reports that multiple enemy posts were destroyed by the Pakistan Army’s effective response.”
The state media said India had earlier evacuated areas near its side of the disputed Kashmir border and launched a “crackdown” against Muslims in the area.
“This provocation from India reflects its war hysteria,” PTV said. “The Pakistan Army is fully prepared to defend the country’s sovereignty at all times.”
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