ISLAMABAD – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that the national security advisers of Pakistan and India made contact after India’s missile strikes on Pakistani territory. Speaking to TRT World, he said, “Yes, there has been contact between the two sides.”
The missile attack by India occurred early Wednesday morning. It hit several civilian locations in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad condemned it as a “blatant act of war.” The strikes followed a deadly assault on tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir last month.
Foreign Minister Dar said six Pakistani targets were hit, including mosques and hydropower sites. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of at least 31 civilians. Among the victims were children. Another 57 people sustained injuries during this unprovoked aggression.
In a powerful response, Pakistan’s military brought down five Indian Air Force jets. They also destroyed seven drones, a brigade headquarters, and multiple checkposts along the Line of Control. Dar stated, “India has done something that is not condonable.” He made it clear that Pakistan would decide how and when to respond in the future.
Dar revealed that India’s missile strikes were followed by international reactions. “The first call I received after the attack was from the Turkish foreign minister,” he said. He added that the call came around 1 a.m., shortly after the missiles landed.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also contacted Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Erdogan expressed solidarity with Pakistan and condemned India’s missile strikes. He said Turkiye would do everything possible to prevent a further rise in tensions. Erdogan also extended condolences to the families of the martyrs and wished a quick recovery for the wounded.
Dar called Erdogan’s remarks “very supportive.” He described Turkiye as “a very close brother” to Pakistan. He added that the Turkish ambassador in Islamabad was among the first foreign diplomats to reach out after the attacks.
The Turkish president praised Pakistan’s calm and responsible handling of the situation. In a separate statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said that India’s missile strikes risked triggering a full-scale war. It called India’s actions “provocative” and condemned the targeting of civilians.
Foreign Minister Dar acknowledged Turkiye’s consistent support. “We greatly value our friendship and brotherhood with Turkiye,” he said.
Besides Turkiye, other countries and international bodies, including the United Nations, also urged a peaceful and early resolution to the military crisis. The global community has taken note of the threat posed by India’s missile strikes and called for de-escalation.
