Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has issued a strong warning to India, stating, "India made a mistake by attacking Pakistan last night, and they will pay the price."
The Pakistani Prime Minister delivered this warning in a televised address to the nation on Wednesday night (May 7th), according to the BBC.
In his address, Shahbaz Sharif said, "India may have thought that Pakistan would back down, but they forgot that this is a country that knows how to fight for its homeland."
Claiming that Pakistani forces had shot down Indian jet aircraft, the Prime Minister stated, "This is our response to them." However, India has not confirmed the downing of any of its jets.
The escalation follows a gun attack and casualties in Pehelgam, India-administered Kashmir. On the night of Tuesday, May 6th, India reportedly launched 24 missile strikes on nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The Pakistani military initially reported 26 deaths, but later claimed the death toll had risen to 31. India, however, has claimed that 70 Pakistanis were killed in its offensive. Reports also allege that houses and mosques were damaged in the Indian attacks.
Pakistan has also claimed to have shot down at least five Indian warplanes in Jammu and Kashmir. Furthermore, it is reported that Pakistani forces have killed 15 people in Indian-administered Kashmir so far.
In response to the Indian attacks, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has authorized the armed forces to take retaliatory action. The Prime Minister's Office announced that instructions have been given to the army to give a "fitting response."
