Pakistans Chinese Made Jet Brought Down Two Indian Fighter Aircraft Us Officials 2025 05 08
ReutersMAY 5
India Downs Pakistan's F-16 Jet, Missiles Amid Aerial Attack
Above: Smoke billows after an artillery shell landed in the main town of Poonch district in India's Jammu region on May 7, 2025. Image copyright: Punit Paranjpe/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Pakistan narrative
India's unprovoked attacks deliberately targeted civilian areas, including mosques and residential neighborhoods. The cowardly assault under the cover of darkness violated Pakistan's sovereignty and international law. Amid an attack by India, Pakistan reserves the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. While Pakistan seeks peace and regional stability and avoids unnecessary escalation, it cannot ignore acts of aggression and is free to take a legitimate, defensive response to neutralize threats to its existence and sovereignty.
Pro-India narrative
India's precision strikes on Wednesday were a necessary and justified response to cross-border terrorism and repeated security threats. The decisive military action was essential to safeguard national sovereignty, deter future attacks, and uphold internal stability. While India, too, has the right to defend its citizens and territory, its actions remained targeted at terrorist infrastructure and were in line with international law. Pakistan's attack on Indian cities endangers regional stability and fuels a cycle of violence that harms civilians on both sides.