PAF Chief Reaffirms Support for Kashmir, Warns Any Aggressor Will Face Decisive Response

KAKUL - Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, Chief of the Pakistan Air Force, has reiterated Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the Kashmiri people's right to self-determination, stating that the resolution of the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) issue must be in line with United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people .

🇵🇰 Pakistan Air Force Chief on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir:

“Pakistan has the capability to respond to any aggressor. We support resolving the IIOJK issue in line with UN resolutions and reaffirm the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.” pic.twitter.com/cveVC4BHOt

- Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) August 5, 2026

Speaking at the passing-out ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, the Air Chief Marshal emphasized that Pakistan possesses the full capability to respond decisively to any aggressor, adding that the Pakistan Air Force, in coordination with sister services, upheld its tradition of fighting against numerical superiority .

Full Spectrum of Deterrence

The Air Chief noted that the PAF downed advanced enemy aircraft and struck bases and ground assets deep into adversary territory with precision, neutralizing state-of-the-art defence systems, including the S-400, and command and control centres at various locations .

"Without any doubt, Pakistan Air Force could have gone further but showed matchless responsibility and restraint as we inherited a mature strategic culture", the Air Chief Marshal stated .

Youm-e-Istehsal Solidarity

The statement from the Air Chief comes as Pakistan's military leadership, including Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, and Air Chief Marshal Sidhu, issued a joint message reaffirming solidarity with the Kashmiri people on the occasion of Youm-e-Istehsal .

The military leadership reiterated that the people of Jammu and Kashmir possess an inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in international law and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions .

Concerns Over IIOJK

The statement expressed serious concern over what it described as the continued illegal occupation of IIOJK by Indian security forces, marked by military siege, widespread human rights violations, and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the territory .

"Such actions, coupled with provocative rhetoric and belligerent posturing, serve only to exacerbate regional instability and perpetuate human suffering," the military leadership stated .

Path to Lasting Peace

The Armed Forces maintained that sustainable peace and stability in South Asia remain intrinsically linked to a just and peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions .

The people and Armed Forces of Pakistan pay solemn tribute to the martyrs of IIOJK and reiterate their enduring commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Kashmiri people in what they described as their just and legitimate struggle for freedom .