4 hr 51 min ago
Pakistani prime minister praises "brave and valiant" air force following claim it downed 5 Indian jets
From CNN’s Sophia Saifi and Sana Noor Haq
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaks during an event in November.
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif lauded his country’s air force following a claim by military sources that it shot down five Indian fighter jets.
Sharif praised the Pakistani military’s readiness “to deal with the enemy’s planes,” as he addressed the country’s parliament in capital Islamabad for the first time since India’s attack early on Wednesday local time.
The prime minister also told lawmakers that India used dozens of warplanes in its attack. India’s assault killed at least 26 people, including a 3-year-old girl, and wounded at least 46 other people. according to a Pakistani military official.
Sharif did not elaborate on how Pakistan might respond to India’s attack, after he earlier described it as an “act of war.” His office said the country’s military had been “authorized to undertake corresponding actions in this regard,” according to an earlier statement.
“A few days ago, India was proudly showing off its purchase of Rafale jets. But one shouldn’t be too proud,” Sharif told lawmakers. “These jets flew from there in combat form, but our air force was also prepared.”
“We are a nuclear power and a conventional warfare power. There is no higher respect and honor than this,” he added.
Lawmakers filled the country’s parliament building with calls of “Pakistan Zindabad,” which translates to “Long Live Pakistan.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistani military sources said they brought down five Indian fighter jets and one drone in an act of “self-defense” — including
three Rafale aircraft, which are highly sophisticated multi-role jets manufactured in France. CNN cannot independently verify the claim and has reached out to the Indian government for a response.