Pakistan has launched a significant retaliatory operation targeting Indian military positions in India-administered Kashmir, downing three fighter jets and destroying a brigade headquarters, according to Al Mayadeen’s correspondent and security sources cited by the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

The operation marks a serious escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Pakistani forces are said to be "giving a befitting reply to the enemy at several places," amid heightened military activity along the Line of Control (LoC).

پاک افواج نے جوابی کاروائی میں بھارت کا بریگیڈ ہیڈکوارٹر تباہ کر دیا، سیکیورٹی ذرائع

متعدد مقامات پر پاک افواج دشمن کا منہ توڑ جواب دے رہی ہیں، سیکورٹی ذرائع@TararAttaullah @PakPMO pic.twitter.com/9koU3l76Gf

— APP (@appcsocialmedia) May 6, 2025

In a post on X, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that a “befitting response is being executed,” asserting that “Pakistan has every right to respond to this act of war imposed by India.” He added that national morale remains high, and the entire country stands with its armed forces.

Sharif also convened an emergency meeting of Pakistan's National Security Committee for 10:00 am today to assess the evolving situation.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, announced that three Indian fighter jets and one drone were shot down by the Pakistani Armed Forces.

Later, Pakistan's Minister of Defense, Khawaja Asif, told Reuters that five Indian aircraft were shot down on Wednesday.

Read more: India hits Pakistan with ballistic missiles, Islamabad vows response

Rising tensions following Pahalgam attack

The current escalation follows a deadly terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, India-administered Kashmir, where 26 Hindu tourists were killed. India accused Pakistan-based militants, specifically The Resistance Front, of orchestrating the attack, a claim Pakistan denies. In response, India launched "Operation Sindoor," conducting airstrikes on alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including areas in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bahawalpur.

These developments have led to a series of retaliatory measures between the two countries, including diplomatic expulsions, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India, and closure of airspace and trade routes by Pakistan.

Read more: India ramps up diplomatic pressure on Pakistan after Kashmir attack

International response calls for restraint

The United Nations Security Council has urged both India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and engage in dialogue. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for maximum restraint to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

US President Donald Trump, reacting to the crisis from the White House, said, "It’s a shame. We just heard about it as we were walking in the doors of the Oval [Office]."

"I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past," he added.

"They’ve been fighting for a long time. I hope it ends very quickly," Trump asserted

A spokesperson for the US State Department told Al Mayadeen, "We are aware of the mutual escalation between India and Pakistan, but we currently have no assessment of the situation."

The official added that "the situation is still developing and we are monitoring those developments closely."

Historical context: The enduring Kashmir conflict

The Kashmir region has been a longstanding flashpoint between India and Pakistan since the partition of British India in 1947. Both nations claim the territory in full but control only parts of it. The dispute has led to multiple wars and ongoing skirmishes, with the Line of Control serving as the de facto border.

The current situation remains volatile, with fears mounting of a broader conflict in the region. Both countries have mobilized troops along the LoC, and civilians in border areas are bracing for potential further hostilities.

Read more: Pakistan tests-fires another missile amid rising tensions with India