"If needed..." - Another Controversial Statement by Pakistan's Defense Minister

Addressing the Parliament, Asif said that madrasa students would be deployed if needed. Asif said, "As far as madrasas and their students are concerned, there is no doubt that they are our second line of defense.

He said, "The youth studying there are well connected with religion...they can be used 100% for the city or other needs." He claimed that the Pakistani army deliberately avoided an encounter to prevent the enemy from detecting strategic military positions.

Asif said, "The drone attack that happened yesterday was basically done to find out our locations. This is a technical matter, which I will not go into details." He said, "And that is why they could not be stopped - so that the information about our locations does not leak out."

Earlier, Asif had faced criticism for not being able to provide credible evidence to support his claim that Pakistan had shot down five Indian jets during India's Operation Sindoor. When asked for details during an interview, Asif cited "social media" as his proof - after which a CNN anchor reprimanded him and reminded him that social media is not a credible basis for military claims.

Asif said, "It's all on social media - Indian social media, not our social media. The debris of these jets fell in Kashmir." When asked about the military systems allegedly used in downing the plane, Asif evaded the issue, citing Pakistan's fleet of Chinese-made aircraft, including JF-17 and JF-10 jets.

"We have Chinese aircraft- JF-17 and JF-10. They are Chinese aircraft, but now they are assembled and manufactured in Pakistan. We have a facility near Islamabad for that. If India can buy aircraft from France and use them, we can buy aircraft from China, Russia, the United States or Britain and use them," he said.

The incident comes at a time when India on Saturday launched precision retaliatory strikes on identified military targets in Pakistan after Islamabad fired multiple high-speed missiles at Indian Air Force bases. The Border Security Force also destroyed a terror launch pad in Sialkot's Luni after Pakistan launched unprovoked firing on BSF posts in the Jammu sector.

"Following deliberate targeting of air bases by Pakistan, Indian armed forces launched swift and well-planned retaliatory action and targeted technical installations, command and control centres, radar sites and weapon depots.

In a special government briefing on Operation Sindoor, Colonel Sofia Qureshi said, "Pakistani military installations at Rafiqui, Murid, Chaklala, Rahim Yar Khan, Sukkur and Chunian were targeted by air launches, precision ammunition and fighter aircraft. "Radar site at Pasrur and aviation base at Sialkot were also targeted by precision ammunition. During these operations, India ensured minimum damage and casualties."