ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has warned that if India escalates the tensions, it could lead to a nuclear war. In an exclusive conversation with Geo News on Wednesday, Khawaja Asif stated that in the event of a nuclear war, the entire responsibility would fall on India. To a question, he said Pakistan has faced such threats before, and the region could once again be on the brink of a strategic standoff. He stressed that the risk of nuclear conflict is real and cannot be ignored.
Later, speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that India accused Pakistan without evidence and then launched an attack—also without proof. Asif revealed that India attempted to target some Pakistani cities twice on Wednesday, and electricity was cut off in one or two cities as a precautionary measure to prevent potential attacks. “We are fully prepared for any situation,” he asserted.
The minister said, “I believe Pakistan should pay India back in its own coin—we will have to settle this account. We can also take the initiative if needed.” However, he clarified that if Pakistan responds, it will have a justified reason and will not target civilians. “We could have targeted populated areas, but we only struck military installations,” he added.
Meanwhile, the National Security Committee (NSC), while unequivocally condemning illegal acts of India’s attack in six cities of the country as blatant violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, on Wednesday said the armed forces of Pakistan have been authorised to undertake corresponding actions in this regard.
“In consonance with Article-51 of the UN Charter, the NSC meeting noted that Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defence, at a time, place and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty,” an official statement, issued after the NSC meeting, said. “The Armed Forces of Pakistan have duly been authorised to undertake corresponding actions in this regard,” it added.
The NSC was convened under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and was also attended by the deputy prime minister, defence minister, services chiefs, ISI director general, who is also the national security adviser, and other senior military officials.
The forum observed that the Armed Forces of Pakistan, in line with the exercise of the right of self defence and response framework outlined in NSC statement dated 22 April 2025, resolutely defended the territorial integrity of Pakistan, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, against the Indian aggression, while also bringing down five Indian fighter aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles in the process. The NSC unequivocally condemned these illegal acts as blatant violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which manifestly constituted acts of war under international law.
“Pakistan remains committed to peace, with dignity and honour, and reiterates that it shall never allow any violation of its sovereignty, territorial integrity or permit any harm to its proud people,” the official statement said.
India’s act of aggression also caused grave danger to commercial airlines belonging to brotherly gulf countries, endangering the lives of thousands of on-board passengers. Besides, the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project was also deliberately targeted in violation of international conventions.
“Deeply anguished by India’s naked aggression, the entire Pakistani nation greatly appreciates and admires the bravery and courage of the Armed Forces and their timely action in the defence of their motherland. The nation stands galvanised and resolute in the face of any further aggression,” the statement said.
Earlier, in the day, addressing a press conference, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that at least 31 innocent civilians were martyred and 57 sustained injuries after Indian forces fired missiles at six different locations during the night between May 6 and 7. The ISPR DG said Indian troops also launched cowardly attacks across the Line of Control (LoC), deliberately targeting civilian populations and places of worships.
“The attacks took place under the cover of darkness and focused mainly on mosques and residential areas, showing the extremist mindset of the Modi-led government,” he said. He said that heavy Indian shelling along the LoC also claimed five more lives, including a five-year-old child. The Pakistan Armed Forces responded swiftly and effectively, giving a “befitting reply” to the Indian aggression.
“The targeted areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir had recently been visited by international media, which had already exposed the baseless Indian propaganda and claims. Striking these same sites seems like a desperate attempt to justify their false narrative through violence.”
Stating that the Pakistan Army responded fully to the Indian aggression and destroyed “several” Indian check-posts and showed footage of a brigade headquarters from where he said India was violating the LoC ceasefire. Other check-posts hit included Chhatri, Jura and Sarlia-1, as well as a unit battalion headquarters.
The DG ISPR confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down five Indian fighter jets and one drone in response in what he termed as an exceptional air battle. “Such aerial combat is rarely witnessed — we are proud of our Air Force.” The downed aircraft included three Rafale jets, a MiG-29, a Su-30, and an Israeli-made Heron drone. The PAF, he said, could have shot down more than 10 aircraft but chose to show maturity and strategic restraint. He also confirmed that all PAF assets, including fighter jets and installations, are fully safe and operational. Lt Gen Chaudhry said that the Pakistan armed forces responded with precision to Indian aggression by targeting only military sites. He said in Indian attack Noseri dam, Neelum-Jhelum project were also damaged.
He said that at the time of India’s cowardly assault, several national and international flights were operating within Pakistan’s airspace, placing thousands of civilian passengers at severe risk. Such acts, the DG ISPR said, show the extremist and irrational mindset behind Indian military planning under the current leadership, with no regard for human life, international laws, or aviation safety. “At that time, there were 57 international flights operating inside Pakistan’s airspace,” he stated, adding that the consequences of any of those being hit “perhaps did not cross the minds of those who were undertaking this senseless aggression”.
Pakistan, he stressed, reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and warned that any aggression will be met with a decisive response. Calling on the international community, especially global aviation and water rights organisations, he urged immediate notice of India’s provocations, which pose a serious threat to regional peace and civilian safety.
Meanwhile, speaking on floor of the National Assembly, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that he was ready to sit with the opposition, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a demonstration of unity to make Pakistan a great nation when the country achieved a great triumph against the adversary. The entire nation deserves congratulations on the great victory as leadership and soldiers of Armed Forces with their professionalism and patriotism acted in unison, after consultations and planning, he added. “All this was made possible due to unity, unison and due to consultation between the leadership of armed forces.”
In the same context and spirit, the prime minister offered all the political leadership, including the PTI, to work together for progress of the country and make Pakistan a great country, saying that nothing could be a better opportunity for demonstration of unity. “I am ready to meet them in the Speaker’s chamber with my colleagues. We should show to the world that we are one,” he said, adding that one should look to the past to learn lesson but not for the purpose of mudslinging.
The prime minister said that 80 planes of the Indian Air Force participated in attack on six cities of Pakistan including Bahawalpur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Shakargarh and two cities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir late Wednesday night but eagles of Pakistan Air Force downed five jets of the adversary, including three Rafale planes. “The number of shot down Indian planes could have been increased from five to 10 but our eagles demonstrated care,” he said.
Meanwhile, addressing the nation in a televised speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz said that India would have to face consequences of the blunder which it made by attacking the civilian population in Pakistan. He said the international community was witness to the fact that the enemy was kneeled down in a matter of an hour.
The premier said that he wanted to pay tributes to Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir, Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Baber Sidhu. “I want to say that the whole nation is proud of you.”
In his speech to the National Assembly, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said we do not condone war and never have, but India should brace itself because Pakistan is yet to respond, and it will not do so during the night, or on the basis of lies, but as per international laws and UN Charter. “Pakistan has the right to respond to this attack at a time and place of the country’s own choice.”
Bilawal paid tribute to the Pakistan Air Force for giving a befitting response to the cowardly Indian attacks. Addressing the assembly, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan has settled India’s account for what it did. Excellent results were achieved through China’s J-10C aircraft. “We shared all the details with the foreign ministers of 26 countries. All nations urged that India and Pakistan should not escalate tensions. Over 40 ambassadors were called to the Foreign Ministry for a briefing. We made it clear to everyone that Pakistan would not initiate hostilities, but if India took any action, we would respond.” Responding positively to prime minister’s speech, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan welcomed the invitation and declared support for national reconciliation. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed the Islamabad-based ambassadors on the Indian strikes in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir during the intervening night of 6 and 7 May 2025.
Meanwhile, the Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive Pakistan’s strong protest over the unprovoked Indian strikes at multiple locations across Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian side was warned that such reckless behaviour poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability. Early morning Wednesday saw Ambassador Jiang Zaidong of China calling on DPM/FM Dar, in which he briefed the Chinese ambassador on the serious situation following India’s unprovoked violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the tragic loss of innocent lives.
Another strong ally of Pakistan, Türkiye on Wednesday in a phone call expressed its solidarity with Pakistan against India’s unprovoked aggression violating Pakistan’s sovereignty and killing innocent civilians. Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a telephone call expressed concern over the deteriorating regional security situation. Both leaders agreed to remain in close coordination on the evolving situation.
Immediately after the Ambassador of Türkiye called on Dar to convey Istanbul’s strong solidarity with Islamabad. “The two sides discussed regional security concerns in depth and reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining close coordination and cooperation,” said the Foreign Office.
Ishaq Dar also spoke with Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Hissein Brahim Taha. Wednesday also saw Italy’s Minister for Interior Matteo Piantedosi call on the deputy prime minister and foreign minister.
Dar also held a telephonic conversation with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares.
Meanwhile, security officials said that three youngsters — a university student, her younger brother and the 7-year-old son of a Pakistan Army officer — were martyred in Indian missile attacks on civilian areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
In Kotli, a missile strike destroyed a house next to Abbas Mosque, martyring 22-year-old Misbah Kausar, a BS student at the University of Kotli, and her little brother, Umar Musa. Their funerals were held in the Nakyal sector.
In a separate attack, seven-year-old Irtiza Abbas Turi, son of Lt Col Zaheer Abbas, was martyred during a strike in the Dwarandi area of AJK. Irtiza’s funeral was held on Wednesday, the military’s media wing said. President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Army Chief General Asim Munir and Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf attended the funeral, while the prime minister strongly condemned India’s unprovoked aggression, according to the ISPR.
Meanwhile, funeral prayers were offered for several people martyred in Indian attacks on cities, including Bahawalpur and Muridke, and were attended by large crowds. In Muzaffarabad, prayers were held for 80-year-old Muhammad Yaqoob, who was martyred in the shelling. A funeral was held for a university student and her brother in Nakyal. Ministers, lawmakers and senior civil and military officials from the Azad Kashmir government attended the funerals. After the prayers, citizens took out a protest rally from College Ground to Padhawa Chowk, condemning India’s aggression.
According to sources, in attack on Masjid Subhanullah, Ahmedpur East, 13 were martyred, including two 3-year-old girls, seven women, four men. Some 37 were injured including nine women and 28 men. In Muzaffarabad attack on Masjid Bilal, 3 were martyred. One girl and one boy were injured. In Kotli’s Masjid Abbas, a 16-year-old girl and 18-year-old boy martyred. One mother and her child were injured. In Muridke, Masjid Ummul Qura, 3 men were martyred. One was injured. No damages were reported from Sialkot. In Shakargarh, one dispensary was damaged. The attack damaged Noseri Dam at Pakistan’s Neelum-Jhelum Hydro Power Project.
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Asim Munir visited the Air Headquarters and lauded the Pakistan Air Force for shooting down multiple enemy aircraft and proving its strength. Upon arrival at the Air Headquarters, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu warmly welcomed the army chief. The army chief praised the air chief and PAF’s Shaheens for swiftly thwarting the Indian Air Force’s aggressive designs. He highly commended the PAF for once again downing several enemy aircraft and demonstrating its combat prowess. The army chief also appreciated the exceptional coordination among the three armed services. During the meeting, the leadership reaffirmed their resolve that no one would be allowed to violate Pakistan’s territorial integrity, and anyone who attempts to do so will face severe consequences.
Meanwhile, Congressman Brad Sherman, senior Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in a statement said: “As Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged both India and Pakistan, we must avoid armed conflict and escalation. India has not provided the world with strong evidence that the terrible terrorist attack in Kashmir was the result of actions taken by the Pakistani government. Let us hope that the Pakistani government does not escalate this crisis and that its response is de-escalatory.”
