Panic in Islamabad: Blast near PM Shehbaz Sharif’s home forces emergency evacuation 

What Happened Near the Pakistan PM’s Residence? 

A major explosion was reported just 20 kilometers from the official residence of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday night, triggering an immediate evacuation protocol. According to early intelligence inputs, the nature and source of the blast remain undetermined, but it occurred at a time of heightened national alert following India’s retaliatory air defence actions earlier that day. Pakistani authorities have not released an official explanation yet, though the timing and proximity have raised critical security concerns. 

Prime Minister Sharif was swiftly relocated to a secure facility as a precaution, senior government officials confirmed on background. Eyewitnesses reported seeing smoke and hearing the blast across sectors near the diplomatic enclave, adding to the panic already brewing from earlier military escalations with India. 

How Did India Respond to Pakistan’s Airspace Incursion? 

In a decisive and swift retaliatory operation, India’s armed forces intercepted and downed three Pakistani fighter aircraft attempting to cross Indian airspace. Among the aircraft shot down were an American-built F-16 and two Chinese-origin JF-17 Thunder jets. According to Indian defence sources, the attempted aerial breach occurred in the western border sectors, with Indian air defence radar systems picking up the movement well in advance. 

Interceptor aircraft and surface-to-air missile systems were activated immediately, leading to a successful elimination of the inbound jets. The Indian Ministry of Defence has not issued a public statement naming the downed aircraft, but multiple defence insiders confirmed the engagement involved both manned and unmanned threats. 

Where Were the Pakistani Pilots Captured? 

In the aftermath of the aerial confrontation, Indian security forces reported the capture of two Pakistani pilots alive. One pilot ejected near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan and was apprehended shortly after landing. The second was captured in Akhnoor, a strategically important border region in Jammu district. Both individuals are reportedly being interrogated by Indian intelligence agencies, with preliminary findings suggesting the pilots were part of a broader offensive strategy planned by Pakistan in response to India’s earlier surgical strikes. 

Did Pakistan Attempt a Missile and Drone Offensive? 

Yes. Earlier on Thursday, Pakistani forces launched a multi-pronged offensive using drones and ballistic missiles targeting Indian military installations, particularly in Jammu and its adjoining areas. However, Indian air defence systems including the Russian-made S-400 Triumf system and indigenous missile interceptors successfully thwarted the attacks. No structural or human damage was reported on the Indian side, reinforcing the credibility and preparedness of India’s air defence grid. 

Indian officials pointed out that the Pakistani military had targeted a range of sensitive defence locations including Jammu, Pathankot, and Srinagar, but all incoming aerial threats were neutralised before reaching their intended targets. 

How Did Pakistan’s Leadership React to India’s Strikes? 

In a national address broadcast on Wednesday night, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed retaliation for India’s pre-emptive precision strikes on terrorist camps located within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These Indian airstrikes, conducted without breaching the Line of Control, reportedly killed multiple terrorists and injured several others involved in cross-border attack planning. 

Despite Prime Minister Sharif’s warning that “India will have to pay” and his confirmation that civilian casualties included children, his speech received a surprisingly critical reception from Pakistani citizens. Online platforms including X (formerly Twitter) saw a wave of criticism aimed at the prime minister’s delivery and tone. 

Many users remarked that his speech lacked assertiveness and failed to instill confidence. Criticism ranged from calling him “underconfident” and “weak” to accusing him of being evasive and ineffective in conveying the urgency of the national crisis. 

One user sarcastically remarked that Sharif looked like he was “forced to speak” while another mocked the repetitive use of emotional appeals. Several viral posts accused him of “appeasing” rather than retaliating and questioned whether Pakistan had a concrete strategy beyond televised rhetoric. 

Why Are the JF-17 Jets Controversial? 

The JF-17 Thunder jets, developed jointly by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex and China‘s Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, have been a staple of Pakistan’s air defence posture for over a decade. While positioned as a cost-effective multirole combat aircraft, the JF-17 program has long faced criticism over its combat reliability and electronic warfare capabilities. Thursday’s aerial encounter may now intensify scrutiny over the platform’s efficacy, especially in comparison to India’s Rafale and Sukhoi-30 fleets equipped with more advanced targeting and countermeasure systems. 

Observers have pointed out that the Pakistani Air Force’s reliance on a mix of U.S. and Chinese-origin aircraft introduces logistical and interoperability challenges. The loss of these aircraft in a single day has already triggered discussions among military analysts regarding Pakistan’s operational readiness and tactical risk assessments. 

What Are the Implications for Regional Security? 

The sequence of events beginning with India’s strikes on terrorist infrastructure, followed by Pakistan’s drone and missile response, and culminating in the dogfight along the border, has significantly heightened tensions in South Asia. The proximity of the reported blast near the prime minister’s residence further complicates the situation, raising concerns about internal sabotage or potential intelligence leaks within Pakistan. 

International observers have urged restraint, with backchannel diplomacy reportedly underway via Gulf intermediaries. However, the Indian government has maintained that its actions were purely counter-terrorist in nature and not aimed at destabilising Pakistan’s civilian administration. 

As of now, military installations across both sides remain on high alert, and intelligence agencies are monitoring for any signs of retaliatory build-up. Given the volatile state of bilateral relations, further escalation cannot be ruled out.