Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has said that the brief military conflict with India last year exposed “Indian arrogance” and highlighted Pakistan’s defensive strength in air combat.
He made these remarks while addressing a ceremony in Islamabad held in connection with Marka-e-Haq.
Tarar said that during the May 2025 escalation, multiple Indian aircraft were shot down in air-to-air engagements after Indian strikes targeted areas in Punjab and Azad Kashmir. He claimed that the initial count of downed jets was five, later revised to eight.
He said the incident demonstrated Pakistan’s strong military preparedness and the effectiveness of its indigenous defence capabilities. According to him, Pakistan’s armed forces, including the air force and navy, remained fully alert throughout the situation and were ready to respond to any further aggression.
The minister said the episode reflected not only military success but also national unity. He stated that political differences were set aside and the country stood together during the crisis.
He further claimed that India made allegations against Pakistan without proper investigation into the initial incident in Indian-administered Kashmir. He said Pakistan repeatedly called for an independent and transparent inquiry.
Tarar noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had offered support for a fair investigation, but no response was received from India. He said this strengthened Pakistan’s position at the international level.
He added that Pakistan’s diplomatic narrative gained support as the situation unfolded, as the country presented its stance at global forums in a coordinated manner.
