The Pakistan armed forces, in retaliatory strikes, shot down five Indian Air Force (IAF) jets, a drone and destroyed brigade headquarters after India carried out missile strikes in cities of Punjab and Azad Kashmir.

Axar.az reports, citig Geo News, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that all Pakistan Air Force jets are safe after engaging Indian jets.

Among the destroyed Indian Air Force (IAF) jets are three French-made Rafales, one Su30MKI and one MIG-29 Fulcrum, confirmed a military spokesperson to Reuters.

The Pakistan armed forces also destroyed an enemy post in the Dhundial sector of the Line of Control (LoC) and shot down a drone. An intense exchange of fire is ongoing at the LoC with Pakistan Army engaging Indian Army positions.

The Indian strikes come amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours in the aftermath of an attack on tourists that left 26 dead in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir’s (IIOJK) Pahalgam.