Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, vowed to retaliate. “Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this act of war imposed by India, and a forceful response is being given,” he said. “The Pakistani nation and the Pakistan armed forces know very well how to deal with the enemy,” he said. “We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives.” He was to hold a meeting of the national security committee on Wednesday morning.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said in an interview on CNN: "I can confirm that two aircraft of Indian Air force have been taken down. The locations I have so far are around Bhatinda in India [Punjab] and Akhnoor [in occupied Kashmir]."

The Pakistani Air Force has downed five Indian Air Force jets following missile strikes by India, Pakistan’s defense chief said early Wednesday. "The Pakistan Air Force has shot down at least five Indian fighter jets in response to India’s recent cross-border aggression," Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed to private broadcaster Geo TV.