On the night of Wednesday, May 7, the Minister of Defense Pakistan Havadzha Asif declared a serious exacerbation in relations with India. On the air of Pakistani television, he announced the knocking down of five Air Force Air Force combat aircraft and captured by an unnamed number of Indian soldiers. This is also reported by Bloomberg .
"We knocked down five aircraft and captured several soldiers," Asif said, without resorting to details about the number or condition of the captives.
Before this statement, The Guardian , referring to government sources in Islamabad, reported the beat of three Indian aircraft. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudry, a spokesman for Pakistan's armed forces, confirmed at least two of them.
"I confirm that we have knocked down at least two Air Force Air Force," Chaudry said.
The anonymous source among Pakistan Security Forces said that one aircraft was shot down in Bathind (Indian Punjab), and two more - in the Avantipora and Akhnur area in Kashmir. According to the official, Indian planes violated Pakistan airspace after attacks on civilians.
“India started a conflict by attacking civilians. We were forced to protect our sovereignty, ”the Pakistani military spokesman said.
There is no official confirmation from the Indian side as of this moment. If information on the beat of five aircraft is confirmed, it can be one of the largest incidents in the military confrontation between the two nuclear powers in recent years.
