Rawalpindi, May 8, 2025: Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday categorically denied Indian allegations that Pakistan targeted military installations across the border, calling the claims a “fabricated narrative” aimed at face-saving.
Speaking at a joint press conference alongside Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Dar said, “Pakistan did not and does not intend to target civilian areas or military installations in India. Such claims are baseless and misleading.”
The Deputy Prime Minister added that Pakistan’s armed forces had responded defensively after intercepting 75 to 80 Indian aircraft, shooting down five jets, including three Rafales, in the last 36 hours. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace but warned that the country reserves the right to respond to aggression at a time and place of its choosing.
Dar also condemned multiple drone incursions by India, including one aimed at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium during an ongoing PSL match, calling them “acts of provocation.”
Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif, meanwhile, dismissed Indian media reports alleging that Pakistan carried out strikes on 15 Indian targets. “India fired four missiles toward Amritsar, some of which landed on its own installations. One projectile veered toward Pakistan but was monitored and neutralized,” he said.
He ridiculed Indian claims as “cinematic propaganda,” saying the visuals circulated were so clearly doctored “they should be set on fire.” He also raised serious questions about the integrity of India’s air defense, especially in light of Pakistan’s downing of five aircraft despite India having control over the timing of the exchange.
Sharif stated that Indian drones shot down today are undergoing forensic analysis. He revealed that Pakistan had neutralized 29 drones in the past 24 hours, with one incident causing minor injuries to four Pakistani soldiers and limited damage to a defense installation.
“India is now blaming Pakistan to conceal its own military and intelligence failures,” the ISPR DG concluded, adding that Pakistan’s restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.
