Pakistan claims ‘visible’ win after clashes with India

Islamabad lauds US role in defusing tensions with India, while New Delhi vows to ‘retaliate on its own terms’ if provoked

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (MNTV) — Pakistan has claimed it gained the upper hand in aerial combat and missile technology, during last week’s deadly border clashes with India, pointing to operational successes on the ground and diplomatic leverage in the form of a US-brokered ceasefire.

Independent military analysts and regional observers have echoed Islamabad’s claim, stating that Pakistan’s retaliatory capability and coordinated response caught Indian forces off-guard in cross-border skirmishes. 

An assessment by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, reviewed by MNTV, noted that “Pakistan’s strategic posture and timely countermeasures gave it a tactical advantage in the latest round of hostilities.”

According to a CNN report, India urgently reached out to Washington for assistance after cross-border exchanges escalated. 

The report cited unnamed US officials who confirmed that New Delhi requested American intervention to contain further damage after sustaining significant military and symbolic setbacks.

US President Donald Trump’s involvement in brokering the truce has been widely acknowledged, particularly by Pakistan.

Before departing for the Middle East, Trump said the US had “helped a lot” in calming tensions and hinted that trade-related interests played a role in persuading both sides to agree to the ceasefire.

Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar also praised Trump’s efforts, stating, “He was pivotal in securing the ceasefire. We believe President Trump is sincere in wanting to resolve issues, including Kashmir.”

Tarar added that Pakistan’s performance in the conflict was “a victory [in aerial combat, ground forces’ readiness] as visible as daylight,” attributing both military success and diplomatic momentum to Islamabad’s efforts.

In contrast, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi adopted a defiant tone in his first address since the ceasefire, warning that India had merely “paused” its military operations and would respond “on its own terms” to any provocation.

“We will be monitoring every step of Pakistan,” Modi declared, insisting that the dismantling of what he called Pakistan’s “terrorist infrastructure” remained a non-negotiable demand for any future dialogue.

India has blamed the recent attack in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, on Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed—groups it claims have operational bases in Pakistan. 

However, Islamabad denies any link to the attack and has dismissed the allegations as “unsubstantiated.”

Also, India, upon repeated appeals from Pakistan and independent observers, has not provided evidence to its claims of Pakistan’s support to the attack in Pahalgam.

Islamabad denies militant presence, calls itself terror victim

Minister Tarar accused New Delhi of “failing miserably” to produce any credible evidence connecting Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident. 

“We completely deny any safe havens or terrorist camps in Pakistan,” he said.

“We are the biggest victims of terrorism, fighting extremists daily on our western borders.”

Despite the temporary calm, analysts warn the ceasefire remains delicate.

With nationalist fervor running high on both sides, even a minor incident could unravel the truce.

“The ceasefire is a short-term measure. Unless there’s a sustained diplomatic engagement, another flare-up is only a matter of time,” said Dr. Arvind Rao, a former Indian diplomat and regional conflict expert.

Whether Trump can push both sides toward longer-term de-escalation—especially on the intractable Kashmir issue—remains uncertain.

He has also hinted at addressing Kashmir issue with India and Pakistan in his current presidency. 

For now, however, Pakistan appears to be riding a wave of national confidence, portraying the latest standoff as both a military and diplomatic success.