Pakistanis are celebrating their presumed ‘victory’ against India, many carrying national flags and dancing on the streets. Among the prominent was former cricketer Shahid Afridi, who led a rally in Karachi, praising the armed forces
A video of Afridi’s rally has gone viral on social media platforms. He heaped praises on the Pakistani armed forces, calling them ‘unbreakable.‘
Speaking to local Pakistani media, Afridi boasted, “Our army has shown who is stronger. They (Indians) underestimated us. They had no idea about our skills or the technology that we use. Try to engage in a war, and the world will come to know who is stronger.”
He alleged that the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is responsible for reportedly damaging India’s image globally. “You (Modi) do not allow cricket teams to Pakistan. There is so much hate generated there against us. What kind of mindset is it?” he questioned.
“Innocent children and civilians were martyred. Show me one proof that the Pakistani army targeted Indian civilians?” he questioned.
On May 7, Pakistani mortar shelling resulted in the death of several Kashmiris, including children, residing along the Line of Control (LoC), especially in the Rajouri and Poonch districts. The following day, atleast 15 Indian civilians, including a soldier, were killed in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Uri and Akhnoor districts.
“How can you (India) blame Pakistan without a proper investigation? I congratulate the Pakistan Army,” he claimed.
He also claimed that his country is a peace-loving nation. “Pakistan has suffered from terrorism for a long time. We have lost many soldiers to it,” he reportedly said.
He further congratulated former Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stating the young politician bravely faced international media and stood for his country.
Apart from Afridi’s, several videos have emerged showing jubilant Pakistanis dancing and chanting, “Pakistan, Pakistan.”
According to Dawn, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced ‘Youm-i-Tashakkur’ (Day of Gratitude), attended by children to elderly people.
From flag marches to processions by different political and social organisations, Pakistanis are celebrating what they perceive as a ‘victory’ over the Indian Armed forces, a claim not grounded in fact.
Pahalgam terror attack and aftermath
On April 22, terrorists struck the popular tourist destination, the picturesque Baisaran meadow in J&K’s Pahalgam, killing at least 26 people, including two international citizens, and injuring several others. Baisaran, about six kilometres from the resort town of Pahalgam, is an expansive meadow ringed by dense pine forests and mountains and a favourite with tourists and trekkers. The area can be accessed either on foot or horseback.
Among the dead was a 26-year-old local Kashmiri pony walla who stood up to one of the terrorists and tried to snatch away his gun.
In response, India launched ‘Operation Sindoor‘, claiming to have killed more than 70 terrorists across nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
Pakistan called it and “act of aggression” that “resulted in death of its civilians,” adding that “Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing.”
What followed was heavy cross border firing shelling along the LoC between the two neighbours.
On May 8, Indian air defence units intercepted at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan towards the border areas of Jammu, including Jammu airport, defence sources said.
The following day, Pakistan targeted India with drones, but were quickly intercepted by the Indian Army. According to the Indian Army, drones were spotted at 26 locations, including Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota and Jammu in J-K, Ferozpur, Pathankot and Fazilka in Punjab, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer and Barmer in Rajasthan, and Bhuj, Kuarbet and Lakhi Nala in Gujarat.
However, one of the drones hit a residential area in Ferozpur, injuring three of a family.
The latest drone attack came a day after India thwarted attempts by Pakistan to hit Indian military installations using drones and missiles.
On May 10, artillery and mortar shelling civilian population in the Rajouri, Poonch and the Akhnoor sector of Jammu districts, killing several Kashmiris. Two massive explosions were heard near the Srinagar airport, said officials.
