Islamabad, May 5, 2025 – Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif announced that the country’s armed forces successfully countered an attempted incursion by four Indian Rafale fighter jets. The minister claimed that Pakistan’s military employed electronic jamming techniques to neutralize the jets, halting their advance.
“The Pakistan Armed Forces detected and disrupted the approach of four Rafale jets from Indian territory,” Asif stated during a press briefing. “Our forces’ swift response ensured the jets could not proceed, and no further activity has been observed from the Indian side since the incident.”
Despite the reported success, Asif emphasized that Pakistan remains on high alert. “The potential for further aggression from India cannot be ruled out,” he said, calling for sustained preparedness to counter any future threats.
Water Disputes and International Engagement
In addition to addressing the aerial incident, Asif touched on ongoing concerns regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, a decades-old agreement governing the sharing of river waters between India and Pakistan. He revealed that Pakistan plans to initiate discussions with the World Bank to address alleged violations of the treaty by India. “We will formally engage with the World Bank in the coming days to ensure our water rights are protected,” the minister affirmed.
Pahalgam Attack Sparks Controversy
The Defence Minister also commented on the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, a town in India-administered Jammu and Kashmir, where several casualties were reported. Asif raised doubts about the origins of the attack, suggesting it could be a deliberate act by Indian authorities to escalate tensions. “There is a possibility that this incident was orchestrated to serve political motives,” he remarked, questioning the narrative put forth by Indian officials.
Asif further challenged India to provide concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack. “India has repeatedly failed to substantiate its accusations against Pakistan with any credible proof,” he stated, dismissing claims of Pakistani involvement as baseless.
Regional Tensions on the Rise
The minister’s statements come at a time of heightened friction between the two South Asian neighbors, both of whom possess nuclear capabilities. The Pahalgam attack, combined with the reported Rafale incident, has intensified diplomatic and military standoffs, with both sides trading sharp rhetoric.
Analysts warn that the escalating situation could further destabilize the region, urging both nations to pursue dialogue to de-escalate tensions. As Pakistan prepares to take its water rights concerns to the World Bank and India continues to grapple with internal security challenges, the trajectory of India-Pakistan relations remains uncertain.
The international community is closely monitoring developments, with calls for restraint and diplomatic engagement to prevent further escalation in this volatile region.
