Pakistan Defence Minister Responds to India’s Airstrike: Latest May 7, 2025 Developments

On May 7, 2025, Pakistan’s government strongly condemned an overnight airstrike carried out by India on Pakistani territory. The strikes – code-named Operation Sindoor by India – hit multiple locations in Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif led the official response, vowing retaliation and rejecting India’s claims about the targets. Pakistan’s prime minister, military spokesmen and foreign ministry joined in denouncing the attack. In a series of statements on May 7, Pakistani officials branded the strikes a “cowardly,” “unprovoked act of war” and warned that Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.

India’s Airstrike (May 6–7, 2025)

Early on the morning of May 7 (Wednesday), the Indian Air Force launched missile strikes on nine sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India said it was striking “terrorist infrastructure” after a deadly April 22 attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir (the Pahalgam attack). The Indian military described the operation as “focused, measured and non‑escalatory,” saying it did not hit any Pakistani military installations. Indian authorities called it Operation Sindoor and claimed it targeted camps of militant groups responsible for the earlier Kashmir attack.

Pakistan immediately reported civilian casualties and damage. Pakistan’s military said at least six locations were hit, including a mosque in Muzaffarabad and villages in Punjab. Pakistani authorities reported eight people killed – including children – and dozens wounded. (Indian accounts on May 7 said Pakistani shelling had killed three civilians on India’s side of Kashmir.) Pakistani officials emphasized all the targets were civilian. Defence Minister Asif told media that two mosques and other non-military sites were struck, calling India’s claim of hitting “terror camps” “false”.

Pakistan’s Response (May 7, 2025)

In public statements on May 7, Pakistan’s leaders united in condemning the attack and warning of retaliation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan had “every right to respond forcefully to this act of war” and vowed a “befitting reply” to India. The Foreign Ministry likewise denounced the strike as “an unprovoked and blatant act of war” that violated Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s Statements

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif gave interviews and press comments on May 7, striking a defiant tone. On Pakistani national television, he said India had “shamelessly attacked the civilian population, and the attack will be answered accordingly”. Speaking to international media, he warned that “the retaliation has already started. We won’t take long to settle the score”. He criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of using the strikes for domestic political gain.

Later on May 7, Asif issued a slightly more measured statement aimed at calming further escalation. He said Pakistan would “refrain from any action if India avoids any further action,” but added firmly: “We have to defend ourselves”. These comments emphasized both Pakistan’s willingness to avoid a wider conflict and its commitment to national defence. In all his remarks, Asif stressed that Pakistan would not accept any violation of its sovereignty and would protect its people.

Other Official Reactions

Pakistan’s military spokesman (DG ISPR Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry) echoed the Defence Minister’s language. In a televised briefing, he called the strikes an “unprovoked and cowardly act of aggression.” He said the Pakistan Army was “delivering a strong and comprehensive response to this baseless Indian aggression,” and that a military response was already underway. Chaudhry also said Pakistan had exercised restraint by not targeting any civilian Indian sites so far, but reminded the world that Pakistan retained the right to self-defense.

Provincial authorities in Punjab (bordering India) declared a state of emergency and closed schools as a precaution. Islamabad authorities also reported nationwide airspace closures and heightened alert. According to local media, hospitals were treating the wounded and taking steps to assist affected civilians. Pakistan even partially closed its major airports before gradually reopening them by late May 7.

Key Issues and Q&A

Q1: Why did India carry out this airstrike?
A: India said the strikes were retaliation for an April 22 terror attack on Hindu tourists in Kashmir (26 people were killed at Pahalgam) and were aimed at militant camps planning cross-border attacks. India blamed Pakistan-based militants for that attack. Pakistan has denied any involvement. India called the operation Operation Sindoor and claimed it targeted terrorist infrastructure.

Q2: What locations were hit in Pakistan?
A: Pakistani officials reported that at least six sites were struck overnight. These included buildings and mosques in Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Two mosques – one in Muzaffarabad (PoK) and one in Muridke (Punjab) – were damaged, and civilian homes were struck. Pakistan emphasized that all targets were civilian. Casualties included at least eight killed (including children) and dozens wounded.

Q3: How did Pakistan’s Defence Minister react?
A: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif strongly condemned the attack. He said India had “shamelessly attacked the civilian population” and vowed the attack would be “answered accordingly.” He told reporters the “retaliation has already started” and Pakistan would not wait long to “settle the score.” At the same time, he said if India stops further strikes, Pakistan would refrain from escalating but stressed “we have to defend ourselves.”.

Q4: Did Pakistan claim to shoot down any Indian jets?
A: Yes. Pakistan’s military spokesman said Pakistan’s air defenses downed several Indian fighter jets in the encounter. On May 7, Asif told Geo News (a Pakistani channel) that five Indian warplanes – including Rafales – were shot down. India disputed these claims, and international media have not independently verified the numbers.

Q5: How did Pakistan label the Indian attack?
A: Pakistan’s government and military called the strikes an “act of war.” The Foreign Ministry condemned it as an “unprovoked and blatant act of war” and a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty. Prime Minister Sharif described India’s action as a “cowardly attack” and said Pakistan has the right to respond forcefully.

Q6: What actions did Pakistan take on May 7?
A: Pakistani authorities raised their military alert levels. Schools in Islamabad, Punjab, and Pakistan Kashmir were closed temporarily. Hospitals were put on emergency watch, and civil aviation was disrupted. The government also informed the UN Security Council about the strikes, warning of threat to international peace. Pakistani officials said they would show “maximum resilience” and give a “befitting reply” when appropriate.

Q7: Have there been casualties?
A: Yes. Pakistani officials reported at least eight civilians killed (including women and a child) and around 30–40 wounded in the strikes. Heavy explosions were heard in several towns. India reported three civilians killed on its side from Pakistani shelling along the Kashmir cease-fire line. The disputed figures on both sides reflect the fog of conflict.

Q8: What is Pakistan’s long-term response?
A: Pakistani leaders insist any further threat will be met with a military response at the time and place of Pakistan’s choosing. As Defence Minister Asif said, Pakistan will “settle the score” if provoked again. Prime Minister Sharif and the military stressed that Pakistan reserves its right to self-defense under international law. At the same time, officials indicated Pakistan would not initiate new aggression if India holds fire for now.

Q9: What is the risk of wider conflict?
A: Tensions are extremely high between two nuclear-armed neighbors. Both sides have traded threats and escalatory rhetoric. The international community – including the UN and countries like the US – has urged restraint. On May 7, Pakistan said it was responding to “defend its sovereignty,” while India vowed to “hold those responsible to account.” Analysts warn that any misstep could trigger a broader war, so global powers are closely monitoring the situation for possible mediation or de-escalation.

Q10: Who is Khawaja Asif?
A: Khawaja Muhammad Asif is Pakistan’s Defence Minister and a senior leader in the ruling coalition. A long-time parliamentarian, he has held defence and foreign posts before. As defence minister, his statements are the official stance of the government on military issues. On May 7, 2025, Asif’s remarks on TV and to media became the headline reaction from Pakistan’s civilian leadership to the Indian strikes.

Sources: Official statements and verified media reports from Pakistan’s Defence Ministry, Foreign Ministry and government officials, as well as news agencies (Reuters, AFP, AP, Washington Post) covering the May 6–7, 2025 India-Pakistan incident.