During a May 10 briefing, Wing Commander Vyomika Singh flipped the script on Pakistan’s “several attempts” to spread “misinformation,” further causing panic among the people. Slamming the neighbouring country’s claims of having destroyed “our S-400 missile base…Brahmos installation” as false, she instead pointed out that Pakistan had “suffered losses” on land and in air after butting heads with India.
Pakistan military sites destroyed
This week, Pakistan continued drone attacks in several parts of India, ranging from Jammu & Kashmir, to Punjab. India previously successfully thwarted its disputed neighbour’s 26 attack attempts in the country. After foiling those fear-inducing attacks, India moved on to launch its own counter-strike, targeting various Pakistani military sites. Ultimately, the Friday night precision strikes resulted in a total of eight of these locations being hit. Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi unveiled the targets by listing out airbases in Rafiqui, Murid, Chalala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur, and Chunian, radar sites at Pasrur and Sialkot aviation bases.
“In response to Pakistan targeting civilian targets, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated and targeted technical installations, commands and control centres, radar sites and ammunition strongholds…” Col Qureshi said during the May 10 presser held in the morning. “While carrying out these attacks, India has ensured minimal collateral damage.”
Pakistan airfields targeted
Col Sofiya eventually also shared that Pakistan’s airfields in Skardu, Bholi, Sargodha and Jacobabad had sustained major damage. “Pakistan’s air defence systems and radar systems were neutralised, and its airspace was made untenable. Along the Line of Control, Pakistan’s command and control, logistics installations, and military infrastructure suffered such heavy losses that their offensive and defensive capabilities were completely crippled,” she said during the briefing before the ceasefire revelation.
Operation Sindoor hit Pak-based terror infrastructures
As per confirmations pouring out in the aftermath of the May 7 Operation Sindoor, military strikes carried out as a retaliatory response to the Pahalgam terror attack were “focused, measured and non-escalatory.” The initial targets eluded Pakistani military installations, focussing on nine terror infrastructures. The list included headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. All linked to JeM, Markaz Subhan Allah at Bahawalpur, Sarjal at Tehra Kalan, Markaz Abbas in Kotli, and Syedna Bilal camp in Muzaffarabad were reduced to rubble. Other targets were LeT-affiliated locations: Markaz Taiba at Murdike, Markaz Ahle Hadith at Barnala, and Shwawai Nalla camp at Muzaffarabad.
Pak govt asks for loans, says account was hacked
On Thursday, the Pakistan government also appeared to appeal to international partners for additional loans, citing “heavy losses inflicted by the enemy,” according to a Reuters report. The same message popped up on the X page of Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division, as a tweet read, “Govt of Pakistan appeals to International Partners for more loans after heavy losses inflicted by enemy. Amid escalating war and stocks crash, we urge international partner to help de-escalate. Nation urged to remain steadfast.” The ministry subsequently distanced itself from the post, clarifying that the X account had been hacked.
Pakistani jets shot down: Reports
In the standoff that has continued this past week, India reportedly shot down at least two Pakistan fighter jets. ANI quoted unidentified sources as saying that a Pakistani Air Force jet was struck in Pathankot. NDTV’s sources also claimed that Indian SAM (Surface-to-air missile) shot down one of Pakistan’s F-16 supersonic fighter jets near the Sargodha air base. On top of that, India is believed to have taken down Islamabad’s Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft, a surveillance jet critical to air combat.
India Today reported the AWACS was hit in Pakistan’s Punjab province. Official confirmations about these particular jets being targeted have yet to make it out. The outlet also maintained that India’s air defence system is said to have taken down two of Pakistan’s JF-17 aircrafts, as per government sources.
In addition to Pakistan’s airbases and aircrafts sustaining major losses, its stock market witnessed a fall of over 9% in last few days amid cross-border escalation. On Friday, KSE-30 Index plunged 3%, marking its lowest since December 19.