Talks with India possible if Kashmir included, says Pakistan PM

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday declared what he called a “decisive victory” over India in a recent limited conflict, while urging renewed peace talks focused on resolving the Kashmir dispute.

The Prime Minister, joined by Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir and cabinet members, visited the Pakistan Air Force’s operational base in Kamra, according to a statement issued by military's media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the visit, the Prime Minister received a comprehensive briefing on the operational preparedness and combat capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Sharif said that India’s “fever of war” is now over, and Pakistan is open to peace talks, on the condition that they address the Kashmir issue.

“The issue of Kashmir will remain a bone of contention between Pakistan and India,” the Prime Minister said. “We offer India to sit and resolve it.”

PM Shehbaz praised the armed forces for what he described as a swift and historic defeat of Indian forces between May 6 and May 10.

“Today, I, along with the people of Pakistan, congratulate the armed forces on their decisive victory over India,” the Prime Minister said. “In this limited war, within a few hours, the armed forces have made history.”

The Prime Minister said that the armed forces' professionalism and bravery changed Pakistan’s image globally.

“This is the most decisive victory in the history of Pakistan,” he said. “Through this victory, the armed forces have changed Pakistan's perception and the regional equation.”

The Prime Minister claimed that the Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian jets, not five as earlier reported, including “several drones.”

He credited younger PAF officers with downing three Rafale fighter aircrafts.

“On 10th May, you defeated an enemy who is several times larger than we are,” the Prime Minister said. “The enemy’s pride has been shattered forever.”

PM Shehbaz offered congratulations to the Chief of Army Staff, General Syed Asim Munir, and the Air Chief, Air Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar Sidhu.

“PAF has overnight earned the respect of the global community,” he said.

According to the Prime Minister, Pakistan exercised restraint during what he described as an escalation initiated by India. He said India rejected Pakistan’s peace offers and “killed innocent children,” while Pakistan “only targeted, and with accuracy, the military installations of the enemy.”

The Prime Minister said the nation was indebted to those who had died during the confrontation.

“Pakistan longs for peace,” he said. “But our longing for peace must not be confused with our weakness.”

Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan offered to hold an independent inquiry into the Pahalgam incident, but “India replied with aggression and an attack.”

He also accused India of orchestrating the recent train hijacking in Balochistan and pointed to the 2007 Samjhauta Express bombing as an unresolved case.

“Who trained Mukti Bahini to start a revolt in East Pakistan?” he asked, referring to the 1971 war that led to Bangladesh’s independence.

“If India is sincere towards eradicating regional terrorism, we offer them to resolve it through talks.”

Tensions surged last week after India accused Pakistan of supporting a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir and claimed it had struck alleged terrorist camps inside Pakistan.

Pakistan rejected the allegations and responded with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, targeting military installations inside India.

A ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend has temporarily halted hostilities, though tensions remain fraught.