Pakistan Air Force (PAF) discovered four Indian Rafale fighter jets patrolling near the line with control (LOC) late Tuesday night, forcing them to retreat after completing a coordinated response at night between April 29 and April 30.

Security sources said the Indian jets patroled within the airspace over Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) when PAF aircraft discovered their presence and responded quickly.

Tensions have risen between the two nuclear armed neighbors following an attack in Pahaldam, located in Indian-illally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The attack, which took place on April 22, claimed 26 people’s lives, mostly tourists, making it one of the deadliest events in the region since the year 2000.

On April 23, India unilaterally suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a critical water sharing agreement that has been broken by the World Bank, which has held stable through several conflicts between the two countries.

The next day, Pakistan retired by threatening the Simla Agreement of 1972 in Abeyance and closing its airspace to Indian flights.

India has suggested that cross -border relations may have been involved in the attack, although it has not provided concrete evidence. In contrast, Pakistan has heavily denied any involvement.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for an independent investigation of the incident to determine the truth.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Atta Tarar warned late Tuesday that Islamabad has credible intelligence indicating that India can launch a military strike within the next 24 to 36 hours using the recent Pahagam attack as a pretext.

The Minister criticized India’s approach and accused it of taking on a “self -diminished role of judge, jury and executioner” in the region, which was labeled as ruthless and destabilizing.

“Pakistan has suffered from terrorism himself and understands the pain and consequences of such violence,” the statement added, confirming Islamabad’s call for restraint and regional peace.