NEW DELHI: Pakistan's defence minister Khwaja Asif faced embarrassment during a CNN interview when he failed to provide concrete evidence for his claims that Pakistan had shot down five Indian jets during Operation Sindoor .
When pressed for details during the interview, Asif could only cite "social media" as his source, leading to a pointed rebuke from the CNN anchor who reminded him that social media content wasn't the subject of their discussion.
"It's all over the social media, on Indian social media, not on our social media. The debris of these jets fell into Kashmir," Asif claimed during the interview.
When questioned further about the military equipment used in the alleged downing of Indian aircraft, he deflected by discussing Pakistan's Chinese-manufactured aircraft inventory, including JF-17 and JF-10 jets.
"No, Chinese equipment. We have Chinese planes, JF-17 and JF-10. They are Chinese planes, but they are being manufactured, assembled in Pakistan now. We have, very close to Islamabad, we have a facility over there where these planes are manufactured and if India can buy planes from France and use them, we can also buy planes from China or Russia or United States, UK and use them," Asif further said.
This comes after the Indian Army conducted targeted strikes, eliminating nine terrorist bases belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen during 'Operation Sindoor' across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
The Indian Air Force executed precise attacks on four sites within Pakistan's borders, whilst five locations were targeted in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. The Centre affirmed that the operation was "focused, measured and non-escalatory" and deliberately steered clear of Pakistani military installations.
The tri-services 'Operation Sindoor', conducted jointly by the Army, Navy, and the Air Force, was carried out from Indian soil. The Defence Ministry said Operation Sindoor was “focused, measured and non-escalatory” and avoided any Pakistani military facilities.
The government said that it exercised its right to neutralise terrorists and their infrastructure following the Phalgam terror attack in Jammu in Kashmir which claimed 26 lives.
During the press briefing, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Pahalgam terrorist attack has exposed the links of Pakistan with terrorists.
"As you all know, on April 22, Pakistani and Pakistan-trained terrorist, associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, launched a barbaric attack on tourists in Pahalgam. 25 Indians, and one Nepali citizen were cowardly murdered. This is the most serious incident since 2008 Mumbai attack considering that fact the civilians were attacked," Misri said.
When pressed for details during the interview, Asif could only cite "social media" as his source, leading to a pointed rebuke from the CNN anchor who reminded him that social media content wasn't the subject of their discussion.
"It's all over the social media, on Indian social media, not on our social media. The debris of these jets fell into Kashmir," Asif claimed during the interview.
On CNN! Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif claims they shot down 5 Indian jets and a drone- and says the proof is “lots of social media posts.”
— Mariam Solaimankhil (@Mariamistan) May 8, 2025
This is the same government that banned Twitter and blocks half the internet.
Next time, just say your cousin’s WhatsApp group… pic.twitter.com/ceoGzA1aJL
When questioned further about the military equipment used in the alleged downing of Indian aircraft, he deflected by discussing Pakistan's Chinese-manufactured aircraft inventory, including JF-17 and JF-10 jets.
"No, Chinese equipment. We have Chinese planes, JF-17 and JF-10. They are Chinese planes, but they are being manufactured, assembled in Pakistan now. We have, very close to Islamabad, we have a facility over there where these planes are manufactured and if India can buy planes from France and use them, we can also buy planes from China or Russia or United States, UK and use them," Asif further said.
This comes after the Indian Army conducted targeted strikes, eliminating nine terrorist bases belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen during 'Operation Sindoor' across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir.
The Indian Air Force executed precise attacks on four sites within Pakistan's borders, whilst five locations were targeted in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. The Centre affirmed that the operation was "focused, measured and non-escalatory" and deliberately steered clear of Pakistani military installations.
The tri-services 'Operation Sindoor', conducted jointly by the Army, Navy, and the Air Force, was carried out from Indian soil. The Defence Ministry said Operation Sindoor was “focused, measured and non-escalatory” and avoided any Pakistani military facilities.
The government said that it exercised its right to neutralise terrorists and their infrastructure following the Phalgam terror attack in Jammu in Kashmir which claimed 26 lives.
During the press briefing, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said Pahalgam terrorist attack has exposed the links of Pakistan with terrorists.
"As you all know, on April 22, Pakistani and Pakistan-trained terrorist, associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, launched a barbaric attack on tourists in Pahalgam. 25 Indians, and one Nepali citizen were cowardly murdered. This is the most serious incident since 2008 Mumbai attack considering that fact the civilians were attacked," Misri said.
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