ISLAMABAD: Following India’s missile strikes on Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir on Wednesday, the National Security Advisers (NSAs) of both countries established contact in an attempt to de-escalate tensions. Pakistan’s NSA, Lt General Asim Malik, who also serves as the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), spoke with his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval, as part of efforts to manage the crisis.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed the communication between the two NSAs but refrained from sharing further details about the discussions. A Pakistani official emphasized the importance of such communication channels in times of crisis to prevent further escalation.
The contacts between the two NSAs followed diplomatic efforts by international and regional players, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also holds the NSA portfolio. Sources indicate that Pakistan was alerted about the imminent Indian missile strikes, and that India, after launching the attacks, did not seek further escalation.
The situation this time differed from previous encounters, such as the 2019 Balakot airstrike, with Pakistan adopting a clear stance of immediate retaliation. Within hours of the Indian strikes, Pakistan’s military responded by downing five Indian fighter jets, including the advanced French-made Rafale jets, signaling a swift and decisive response. According to Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Pakistan could have shot down more jets but chose to exercise restraint.
The escalation has drawn significant international attention, with experts noting that the confrontation marks a test of both Chinese and Western military technologies, particularly in the context of the J-10C Chinese jets and Indian Rafale aircraft. A French intelligence official confirmed that one Rafale jet was downed by Pakistan, marking the first time the sophisticated aircraft has been lost in combat.
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