ISLAMABAD, Thursday, May 08, 2025 (WNP): Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Thursday accused India of deliberately targeting Amritsar with projectiles in a calculated attempt to incite anti-Pakistan sentiments among the Sikh community and deflect attention from internal unrest.

Addressing a joint press conference alongside Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Dar stated that in the early hours of May 8, India launched four projectiles—believed to be missiles—with hostile intent.

“In a deeply sinister act, three of these projectiles landed in Amritsar, while the fourth entered Pakistani airspace and was successfully intercepted by Pakistan’s air defence system. Its debris fell in the Denga area of Pakistan,” Dar said.

He alleged that the Indian government orchestrated the attack as part of a broader disinformation campaign to falsely implicate Pakistan in civilian targeting and stir hostility within India’s Punjabi Sikh population.

“Pakistan categorically denies any involvement in targeting civilians in Indian Punjab,” Dar said. “Unlike India’s divisive tactics, Pakistan remains committed to peace, stability, and the protection of innocent lives.”

He further revealed that in addition to missile fire, several armed Indian drones violated Pakistani airspace at multiple points along the international border. These drones, he said, attacked civilian areas—killing one and injuring four—and attempted strikes on military installations, wounding four Pakistan Army personnel.

“One of the drones also targeted the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, where Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches are underway. The attempt, aimed at endangering both domestic and international players, was foiled,” he said.

Dar emphasized that despite repeated provocations, Pakistan had exercised strategic restraint, confining its response to self-defence in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

“However, Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time, place, and manner of its choosing,” he warned, urging the public to remain calm as the armed forces stood fully vigilant.

The Deputy PM also claimed that India’s aggression followed the downing of five Indian fighter jets by Pakistan a day earlier—an event he said had embarrassed the Indian military establishment.

“India has concocted a false narrative of drone retaliation in response to an alleged Pakistani attack—an outright lie meant to cover its losses,” he said.

DG ISPR: 12 Indian drones neutralised, one civilian martyred

Echoing the Foreign Minister’s statements, DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces had neutralised 12 Indian Harop drones between the night of May 7 and 8, which were launched across multiple Pakistani locations in a “clear act of military aggression.”

“These drones targeted areas including Lahore, Attock, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Miano, Chor, and near Karachi,” he said, presenting debris from the intercepted drones as evidence.

He added that a 13th drone managed to inflict minor damage to a military installation near Lahore, injuring four army personnel. In another strike on Miano, Sindh, one civilian was martyred and another injured.

“The Indian military’s continued naked aggression has failed to achieve its objectives, and our forces remain at the highest level of operational alert,” he stated.

Lt Gen Chaudhry accused India of attempting to provoke a full-scale conflict to distract from its losses along the Line of Control (LoC), where he said five Indian aircraft and several military posts were destroyed in retaliatory strikes by Pakistan.

“India appears to have lost strategic direction and is now escalating tensions to satisfy the hubristic ambitions of its leadership,” he said. “Such adventurism risks destabilizing not only the region but also broader international peace.”

He warned that India was “paying dearly—and will continue to pay—for this reckless military escalation.”

25 Indian drones shot down, FO rejects Indian claims

According to an ISPR statement, Pakistan has shot down 25 Israeli-manufactured Harop drones to date using both electronic and kinetic countermeasures. The drones, the statement said, are part of India’s desperate attempts to retaliate following heavy losses on May 6 and 7.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office categorically rejected Indian media reports accusing Pakistan of attacks on Pathankot, Jaisalmer, and Srinagar.

“These allegations are politically motivated and form part of a reckless propaganda campaign designed to justify Indian aggression,” said a Foreign Office spokesperson. “Such actions not only endanger regional peace but also reveal a dangerous willingness to manipulate facts for political gain.”

The spokesperson called on the international community to take serious note of India’s escalating behaviour and to urge restraint.

“Pakistan remains vigilant and committed to peace but will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the statement concluded.