BJP leader admits downing of five Indian jets
Listen to article
Subramanian Swamy, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, has admitted that Pakistan downed five Indian fighter jets, including Rafale aircraft, during the four-day military confrontation between the two neighbouring countries earlier this month.
Swamy, a known critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, fired a broadside against his own party's government, denouncing the failure of the authorities in apprehending the perpetrators of April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 26 tourists were killed.
Tensions between the two countries escalated after the attack in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) tourist resort. It turned into a full scale military confrontation, when India fired missiles at mosques and civilian targets in six Pakistani cities in the wee hours of May 7.
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) was swift to respond to Indian aggression, downing six enemy aircraft. On May 10, Pakistan launched operation Bunaynum Marsoos, hitting dozens of Indian military targets and forcing New Delhi to request for the ceasefire, which Pakistan accepted.
Though the international media confirmed that Pakistan had shot down Indian warplanes, including its prized Rafales, but the Indian government kept mum to officially concede to the Pakistan's claims. Swamy is the first senior BJP leader to finally admit that Pakistani was right.
"Pakistan shot down five of our aircraft using Chinese fighter jets. Their performance was commendable, whereas our French Rafale jets were underwhelming," Swamy said, while speaking on a podcast. "Insufficient," he replied, when asked about the French-made Rafale jets.
Swamy also levelled serious allegations regarding the controversial Rafale deal, claiming that there was widespread corruption in the procurement process. "This will never be investigated as long as Modi is the prime minister, because he won't allow it," he asserted.
Swamy denounced the Indian government's failure in apprehending those, who perpetrated "a grave crime" in Pahalgam. "We should have avenged it, but we failed to do so," lamented Swamy, who served in the Rajya Sabha – upper house of Indian parliament – from 2016 to 2022.
In response to another question about Modi's public rapport with US President Donald Trump, he dismissed the relationship as "superficial". He said: "Modi is a master manipulator, deceiving the public. But Indians living abroad know the truth — he has no real stature in USA. He is, in essence, a servant."
Swamy also accused Modi of caving under international pressure during the crisis. "The United States asked for a ceasefire, and you submitted. Who authorised that decision? Was it the military? No. It was your fear of the United States, and especially Donald Trump. Modi's cowardice has been exposed."
He repeated his call for Modi's resignation. "We need a new course of action in the coming months," he said. "Modi must step down. He has failed to uphold the founding principles of our republic so he has to go. It's not just my opinion — many others agree, though they are afraid to say it publicly," he added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
an hour ago
- Business Recorder
PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir vow decisive action against Indian-sponsored proxies in Balochistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir on Sunday jointly addressed a Grand Jirga of tribal elders in Quetta, reaffirming the state's unwavering resolve to defeat terrorism and counter foreign-sponsored subversion, particularly in Balochistan. Speaking at the Zehri Auditorium, the premier condemned the intensified activities of Indian-backed proxies aimed at destabilising Balochistan, and warned that such hostile attempts would be met with decisive state action. 'Our message to the enemies of peace is clear: the government, armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and administrative apparatus, with full support of the Pakistani nation, will defeat terrorism in all its forms,' the Prime Minister stated. P The premier lauded the historical role of Balochistan's tribal elders in preserving national unity and called for continued grassroots engagement to deny space to terror outfits such as the so-called 'Fitna Al-Hindustan'. He also underscored the importance of ensuring that government-led development initiatives yield tangible benefits for the local population. Addressing the gathering, Field Marshal Munir described the ongoing violence in Balochistan as part of a 'blatant Indian-sponsored proxy war' and vowed to crush every element threatening Pakistan's sovereignty. 'We have concrete proof of India's hand in supporting terrorist networks in Balochistan. These nefarious efforts will be defeated by the Pakistan Army with the full support of the nation and the brave people of Balochistan,' he said. The COAS reiterated that peace in Balochistan is non-negotiable and directly linked to Pakistan's long-term stability. Both the prime minister and the COAS praised the bravery and sacrifices of the security forces and law enforcement agencies operating in the province. The prime minister assured continued state support to the families of martyrs and pledged zero tolerance for terror facilitators and abettors. The Jirga concluded with tribal elders pledging their full support to the state's security and development efforts. Earlier in the day, PM Shehbaz also visited the Command and Staff College Quetta, where he addressed student officers and faculty. Stressing the need for operational readiness and strategic foresight, the PM emphasized the significance of professional military education in countering evolving hybrid threats, particularly in sensitive regions like Balochistan.
Express Tribune
an hour ago
- Express Tribune
Kashmir dispute must be settled for lasting regional stability: CJCSC
Listen to article General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) has called for the urgent resolution of the Kashmir dispute, warning that continued tensions with India threaten regional peace and security. General Mirza, made the remarks while representing Pakistan at the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue 2025 in Singapore, a key Asian security summit. 'The resolution of the Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions is essential for lasting peace in South Asia,' Gen. Mirza said, describing the conflict as the 'root cause' of enduring hostility between Islamabad and New Delhi. READ MORE: Pakistan's victory inspires unity among Kashmiris He stressed the need for active and effective dialogue frameworks—bilateral, regional, and global—to prevent conflicts rather than respond to them after escalation. Mirza also criticised India's recent actions regarding water flow management, accusing New Delhi of attempting to weaponise shared water resources. 'India's use of water as a weapon of war is a clear violation of international law,' he said. 'Any attempt to block or divert Pakistan's waters will be considered an act of war, in accordance with the Pakistan National Security Committee's policy.' General Mirza reaffirmed that Pakistan is open to durable peace with India, but such a peace must be based on dignity, equality, and mutual respect. He also expressed concern over the absence of reliable crisis management structures, noting that the failure to act early often prevents the international community from intervening before tensions spiral. READ MORE: Modi trying to turn Kashmir into Gaza: Irfan Siddiqui 'The situation since the Pahalgam incident is endangering regional development. We need mutual restraint, recognition of red lines, and equilibrium to ensure durable peace,' he said. Tensions between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India reached a boiling boint in the aftermath of the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India blamed Pakistan-linked elements without offering any evidence while Islamabad rejected New Delhi's claims and called for an independent probe. India subseuqnetly undertook a series of hostile actions the next day on April 23, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), cancelling visas for Pakistani citizens, closing the Wagah-Attari border crossing, ordering the shutdown of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, and reducing diplomatic staff at each other's embassies. Pakistan strongly rejected the accusation, calling it unsubstantiated, but took reciprocal measures through its National Security Committee (NSC). These included halting trade with India, closing Pakistani airspace to Indian aircraft, and other countersteps. India's later use of force was met with a calibrated military response under Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, which targeted Indian air assets, ammunition depots, and missile bases along the Line of Control and beyond. The operation formed part of a broader campaign, Marka-e-Haq, which ran from May 7 to May 10. Last month, following four days of intense clashes between India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump took to social media to announce that both countries had agreed to a 'full and immediate ceasefire,' brokered by the United States. He had also offered to mediate a solution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute. Mirza called on world powers to help restore a formal dialogue mechanism between Pakistan and India, warning that the current vacuum increases the risk of miscalculation and escalation. Pakistan's participation in the Shangri-La Dialogue comes at a time of heightened friction with India and growing concern over resource and territorial disputes across South Asia. The country used the platform to reiterate its long-standing stance on Kashmir and to advocate for stronger diplomatic channels to address unresolved conflicts. READ MORE: Trump to work with Pakistan, India to resolve Kashmir dispute Earlier, Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir said Pakistan would never accept Indian hegemony in South Asia, expressing firm opposition to New Delhi's regional posture and ongoing disputes. In remarks shared by the military's media wing, ISPR, the Chief of Army Staff conveyed a strong sense of resolve over what he described as India's attempts to assert dominance. He reiterated Pakistan's unwavering stance on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), and raised concerns about India's approach to transboundary water sharing.
Business Recorder
5 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Pakistan's 9-member delegation leaves for New York on Monday
A nine-member parliamentary delegation led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will embark on a two-day visit to New York tomorrow (Monday), according to Radio Pakistan. The delegation will present Pakistan's perspective on the recent military clash with India and counter New Delhi's disinformation campaign about the conflict. Earlier, Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman and former Foreign Minister, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that Pakistan seeks peace but stressed that India's 'new normal' of brinkmanship—such as the 2019 near-war escalation—endangers millions. New Delhi's narrative relies on lies: Bilawal He also warned that unresolved disputes risk triggering a catastrophic nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India. Speaking outside the Foreign Office after receiving a briefing, he added that the international community must understand: that two nuclear-armed rivals cannot afford miscalculations. Islamabad insists it is not the aggressor and will present evidence to foreign governments that Delhi's narrative relies on 'lies.' It Is worth mentioning here that Pakistan had announced a major diplomatic push to counter what it calls India's 'aggressive propaganda' following recent military tensions. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a committee under former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari to coordinate with the world about Indian aggressive postures and hegemonic designs towards Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tasked Bilawal with leading a high-profile delegation—including senior politicians and diplomats like Sherry Rehman, Hina Rabbani Khar, and ex-envoys Jalil Abbas Jilani and TehminaJanjua—to brief global powers on Kashmir, terrorism, and the Indus Waters Treaty. The team will plead that Delhi's actions, including what Pakistan claims are the 'weaponization' of water resources, are destabilising the region.
