Pakistan’s military vows retaliation “on its own terms” after sustained drone and artillery attacks across the LoC. India’s air defences reportedly intercepted most incoming drones as both sides brace for further escalation.
BY PC Bureau
Amid escalating hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has declared that war with India may be unavoidable, citing continued cross-border exchanges and rising tensions.
Speaking to a Pakistani news outlet, Asif said, “Given India’s actions over the past four days, we see no option left but to respond in kind. Efforts to defuse the situation have failed, and the likelihood of de-escalation now appears slim.” He added that the country should brace for conflict, though he did not elaborate on operational plans.
Earlier, Asif faced criticism for suggesting that Pakistani forces had intentionally allowed Indian drones to enter their airspace in order to conceal the location of their defense systems—remarks that drew widespread mockery online.
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Reinforcing Islamabad’s hardened stance, Pakistan military spokesperson Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday that Pakistan had no intention of stepping back. “We will not de-escalate. The damage India has caused will be answered at a time and manner of our choosing,” he told Al Arabiya.
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In a shocking interview, Pakistan Defense Minister tells reporter that full blown war with India is unavoidable:
Pakistan DM:
We dont have any other options other than this (full blown war) …. We have to pay them back in the same way.
Reporter:… pic.twitter.com/MWs4xsx7Rh
— Shubhank Shukla (@Shubhank999) May 9, 2025
The comments came hours after Pakistan launched a wave of drone and artillery attacks targeting Indian locations across Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat. While several military installations were reportedly in the crosshairs, Indian air defense systems successfully intercepted the majority of drones, preventing large-scale damage.
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In retaliation, India struck multiple Pakistani military targets, including air defense systems, in what it described as a calibrated but firm response.
