Translated with AI
As a result of the military operation carried out by India on Wednesday night, several combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force were shot down during missile strikes on Pakistani territory. The operation, dubbed "Sindoor", was aimed at destroying terrorists on Pakistani territory, TASS reports.
The Indian Air Force has hit six ground targets in Pakistan. In response to India's actions, Pakistan said its air force shot down four Indian aircraft, including two French Rafale jets, one MiG-29 and one Su-30. Islamabad said the fighting killed 26 civilians and wounded 46.
Pakistani military officials said the Indian planes were attacked only after they fired missiles into Pakistani territory. Ahmed Sharif Chowdhry, a spokesman for the Pakistani military, said India had launched an aggression by violating Pakistan's territorial integrity and threatening civilians. Pakistan responded by using force to defend its territory.
Indian authorities justified their operation by citing the need to secure their borders after Pakistan failed to respond to terrorist attacks in Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22. Indian Foreign Minister Vikram Misri claimed that an investigation had confirmed Pakistan's involvement in training and supporting the terrorists who carried out the attack, and that Pakistan had been branded a safe haven for international terrorists.
China, which shares land borders with the Indian and Pakistani parts of Kashmir, expressed concern over the escalation and called on both countries to remain calm and exercise restraint. The Chinese Foreign Ministry said China was ready to play a constructive role in resolving the situation and help avoid further escalation.
India also said two of the three suspects in the Kashmir attack were Pakistani nationals, but provided no evidence. Pakistan has categorically denied any involvement in the attack.
