Chinese weapons get rare battle test in India-Pakistan fighting

(From left to right) This handout photo, taken and released by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), shows Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir, Chief on the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu posing with JF-17 Thunder fighter jet, jointly developed by the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex (PAC) and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation (CAC), during Sharif’s visit to Kamra Airbase in Attock, Pakistan on May 15, 2025, following the India-Pakistan military conflict. (Photo courtesy: Handout/ISPR/File)
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Updated 20 May 2025
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Chinese weapons get rare battle test in India-Pakistan fighting

  • Pakistan accounts for around 63 percent of China’s arms exports, according to SIPRI
  • In recent fighting, Pakistan used J10-C Vigorous Dragon, JF-17 Thunder planes, armed with air-to-air missiles

SHANGHAI: Just over a week after a ceasefire with India was struck, Pakistan’s foreign minister is visiting his country’s largest arms supplier, China, with the performance of the weapons they supplied a matter of burning interest for analysts and governments alike.

The most striking claim from four days of fighting earlier this month was Islamabad’s contention its Chinese-supplied jets had shot down six Indian aircraft — including three French-made Rafale fighters — with some observers seeing this as a symbol of Beijing’s rising military might.

Experts who spoke to AFP cautioned that a lack of confirmed information and the limited scope of fighting made it difficult to draw solid conclusions about the Chinese equipment’s prowess.

Still, “this was a rare opportunity for the international community to gauge Chinese military hardware on the battlefield against Western (Indian) hardware,” said Lyle Morris from the Asia Society Policy Institute.

While China pours hundreds of billions of dollars into defense spending each year, it lags far behind the United States as an arms exporter.

China’s drones are used in counter-terrorism operations, and its weapons have been deployed by Saudi Arabia in Yemen and against rebel forces in African countries, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) senior researcher Siemon Wezeman told AFP.

“But this is the first time since the 1980s that a state has used large numbers of Chinese weapons of many types in action against another state,” said Wezeman, referencing the Iran-Iraq war when they were used on both sides.




Metal debris lies on the ground in Wuyan in India-administered Kashmir's Pulwama district May 7, 2025.(Reuters/File)

Pakistan accounts for around 63 percent of China’s arms exports, according to SIPRI.

In the recent fighting, Pakistan used the J10-C Vigorous Dragon and JF-17 Thunder planes, armed with air-to-air missiles.

It was the first time the J10-C has been used in active combat, said the Stimson Center’s Yun Sun.

Islamabad’s air defenses also used Chinese kit — including the HQ-9P long-range surface-to-air missile system — and deployed Chinese radar as well as armed and reconnaissance drones.

“This was the first sustained fight where the bulk of Pakistan’s forces used Chinese weapons and, basically, relied on them as their primary option,” said Bilal Khan, founder of the Toronto-based Quwa Defense News & Analysis Group.

India has not officially confirmed any of its aircraft were lost, although a senior security source told AFP three jets had crashed on home soil without giving the make or cause.




Smoke rises in the main town of Poonch district on May 7, 2025. (AFP/File)

Rafale maker Dassault has also not commented.

The Rafale is considered one of Europe’s most high-tech jets, while the J10-C “is not even China’s most advanced,” said James Char from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University.

But if Pakistan’s claims are true, “this should not be surprising... considering that the Rafale is a multirole fighter, whereas the J-10C was built for aerial combat and is also equipped with a stronger radar,” Char said.

The Chinese air-defense systems, however, “do not appear to have been as effective as the Pakistan Air Force would have hoped,” said Quwa’s Khan, after India said it had neutralized one near the eastern border city of Lahore.

If true, said SIPRI’s Wezeman, that “would be a bigger success and more than balance the loss of some aircraft in the process.”

In the days after the dogfight reports, J10-C maker Chengdu Aircraft Company’s stock soared over forty percent.

“We most likely will see more orders going to Chinese contractors,” said the Stimson Center’s Sun.

However, “it will take time and significant reorientation by Chinese arms manufacturers for the country to be a big arms exporter,” said Jennifer Kavanagh from the US think tank Defense Priorities.

She noted that China “cannot mass-produce certain key inputs, including aircraft engines.”




An army soldier stands guard on the rooftop of a mosque building damaged by a suspected Indian missile attack near Muzaffarabad. (AP/File)

Wezeman said he thought the stock markets “overreacted,” as “we still have to see how well all the weapons used worked and if it really means much.”

Even if more data emerges, the conflict still does not reveal much about the Chinese military’s own capabilities, the analysts said.

China’s own systems and weapons are much more advanced than what it exports.

And while having high-tech hardware is important, “much more important is how those weapons are used,” said Kavanagh.

Brian Hart of CSIS said he would caution against “reading too much” into recent developments.

“I don’t think you can make direct comparisons to how these Chinese-made systems would fare in different environments against more advanced adversaries like the United States,” he explained.

“Since the number of data points is small and since we don’t know much about the proficiency and training of the personnel on either side, it is hard to draw definitive conclusions.”


Heavy rains, lightning strikes kill at least six people in Pakistan’s northwest

Updated 22 June 2025
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Heavy rains, lightning strikes kill at least six people in Pakistan’s northwest

  • A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
  • The Pakistan Meteorological Department this week forecast pre-monsoon rains across various parts on June 20-23

ISLAMABAD: Heavy rains and lightning strikes killed at least six people and injured five others in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province this week, the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said on Sunday.

A total of seven houses were damaged due to rains, strong winds and flash floods that have lashed the province since June 20, according to a PDMA report. The accidents occurred in Mansehra, Buner, Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Malakand and Kohistan districts of the province.

“The deceased include three men, one woman and two children, while the injured include three men and two women,” it said.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) this week forecast pre-monsoon rains in Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and Punjab and KP from June 20 till June 23.

“The PDMA has already issued a letter to the district administrations to remain alert and take preventive measures,” it added.

Last month, rains and thunderstorms killed at least 26 people in KP and Punjab provinces, authorities said.

Pakistan has seen erratic changes in its weather patterns which have led to frequent heat waves, untimely rains, storms, cyclones and droughts in recent years. Scientists have blamed the events on human-driven climate change.

In 2022, devastating floods, blamed on human-driven climate change, killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.


Pakistan says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites violate international law, IAEA statute

Updated 22 June 2025
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Pakistan says US strikes on Iran nuclear sites violate international law, IAEA statute

  • Experts warn the latest strikes could have ‘catastrophic’ economic and security implications for Pakistan
  • In phone call with Iran president, Pakistan premier offers Islamabad’s support to de-escalate the crisis

ISLAMABAD: The United States (US) airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities violate international law and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) statute, the Pakistan prime minister’s office said on Sunday, as experts warned of their economic and security implications for Islamabad.

The strikes, which targeted three Iranian nuclear sites at Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz early Sunday, came amid Israel’s ongoing campaign against Iran’s nuclear program, which Israeli officials claim is nearing weaponization, an allegation Iran denies, insisting its activities remain peaceful and under international safeguards.

While the amount of damage remained unclear, the strikes have fueled fears of a wider conflict, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi saying the US had “crossed a very big red line,” the time for diplomacy was over and Iran had the right to defend itself. US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against retaliation.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday afternoon and conveyed Pakistan’s condemnation of the US attacks, which targeted Iranian nuclear facilities that were under the safeguards of the IAEA, according to Sharif’s office.

“These attacks constituted a serious violation of international law and the IAEA Statute,” Sharif’s office said. “While noting Iran’s right to self-defense, as enshrined under Article 51 of the UN Charter, the prime minister stressed upon the need to immediately return to dialogue and diplomacy as the only viable path forward.”

Sharif called for urgent collective efforts to de-escalate the situation and reiterated Pakistan’s readiness to play a constructive role in this context, according to his office. President Pezeshkian conveyed his appreciation for Pakistan’s support to Iran.

Pakistan’s foreign office earlier said Islamabad condemned the strikes and was “gravely concerned” at the possible further escalation of tensions in the region.

“Any further escalation of tensions will have severely damaging implications for the region and beyond,” it said, adding that Iran had the right to defend itself under the United Nations (UN) Charter and urged all parties to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilian lives and “immediately bring the conflict to an end.”

“Recourse to dialogue, diplomacy, in line with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter remain the only viable pathway to resolve the crises in the region.”

Tensions flared on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes against what it described as Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure. Iran, a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), has since retaliated with missile attacks on Israeli targets. The United States, Israel’s closest ally, has now directly joined the campaign.

Experts have warned that the latest US strikes could have “catastrophic” economic and security implications for Pakistan.

“The economic implications of a wider war would be catastrophic for Pakistan. First and foremost, if the Strait of Hormuz is closed, our major concern will be the import of oil, as most of our oil supplies come from the Middle East,” Shakeel Ramay, a Pakistani economist, told Arab News.

“This would severely impact our economy since a significant portion of our power grid is powered by imported oil and gas from the region. The disruption would affect electricity production and have far-reaching consequences for our transportation network as well. The government will need to manage rising prices in the short term.”

Lt. Gen. (retired) Naeem Lodhi, a former Pakistani defense secretary, said Pakistan had so far acted “wisely” by condemning the attacks on Iran and offering to mediate the crisis.

“At this point, Pakistan needs to remain alert and ensure that it does not get directly involved. It must not allow any country — on either side — to use its soil, airspace, or any other assets,” he told Arab News.

“Although staying completely uninvolved is difficult due to our geographic proximity, it is still the most desirable course of action.”

If the war expanded, Lodhi said, Pakistan would face “serious challenges.”

“Many Pakistanis believe that if Iran is defeated in this war, it could create long-term problems for Pakistan,” he said.

“A new regime in Iran might not be friendly toward Pakistan and could even become hostile, bringing yet another threat to our borders. That is a key concern Pakistan must keep in mind.”

The crisis also raises questions about how Islamabad will navigate its delicate balancing act between Iran, other Gulf partners, and the United States, which remains one of Pakistan’s largest trading partners and a critical source of military and economic assistance.

“Certain demands may be made that Pakistan will find hard to ignore. For instance, if Arab countries become involved — which is likely — there could be strong pressure on Pakistan to support them in some capacity, whether through logistics, access to airspace, or even bases,” Lodhi said.

“While it may be relatively easier to say no to the United States despite its influence, refusing multiple allied Arab countries will be much more difficult. Still, Pakistan’s current leadership, especially the military leadership, is well aware of these dangers and will likely try to keep the country out of the conflict.”


Cherry festival in northern Pakistan draws crowds amid growing exports to China

Updated 22 June 2025
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Cherry festival in northern Pakistan draws crowds amid growing exports to China

  • Gilgit-Baltistan, which produces 9,000 tons of cherries, exported over a quarter of the crop to China last year
  • Agricultural experts say the region’s cold climate is ideal for growing cherries, apricots and apples

SKARDU, Gilgit-Baltistan: As Pakistan begins to export cherries to neighboring China, a colorful one-day festival in Skardu this week drew hundreds of visitors, highlighting the potential of agri-tourism and cherry farming in the northern Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) region, officials and growers said.

Home to the Khunjerab Pass — the highest paved international border crossing in the world — GB is often described as Pakistan’s gateway to China.

The region’s cold climate is ideal for growing high-quality fruits such as cherries, apricots and apples.

“This is the 5th National Cherry Festival, and we are organizing Agri-Mela as part of the festival,” Zakir Hussain, deputy director at the GB agriculture department, told Arab News on Friday.

Visitors sample different verities of cherries displayed at a stall at the 5th National Cherry Festival in Skardu. Pakistan on June 20, 2025. (AN Photo)

 “The aim of this festival is to introduce cherry as a cash crop.”

He said the event, organized in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, aimed to raise awareness about harvesting, marketing and the economic importance of cherries.

According to the GB agriculture department, the region produces 8,000 to 9,000 tons of cherries annually, with dried cherry marketing now also underway.

“Almost 3,000 tons of cherries had been exported to China in 2024,” Hussain said, adding that GB was the leading cherry-producing region in Pakistan.

Local farmers say the festival boosts their income and visibility.

A cherry farmer displays his produce at the 5th National Cherry Festival in Skardu. Pakistan on June 20, 2025. (AN Photo)

“We have been growing cherries for the last 12 to 13 years and we have 200 to 300 cherry trees in our orchard,” said Skinder Ali, a 40-year-old farmer. “Whenever the festival is held in Gilgit-Baltistan, we participate. And due to this event, we get access to the market at the national level.”

The festival also attracted tourists from other parts of the country.

“We especially came to Skardu to see the cherries, and we are from Islamabad,” Zohra Begum, a 52-year-old visitor, said. “We have been visiting [the stalls] for the last hour... The taste of cherries is very good ... So far we have purchased 10 kilograms. Let’s see how much we purchase later.”

“I am a traveler and biker from Lahore,” said Mohsin Abbas, another tourist. “We were in Shigar last night when we came to know about the festival. So we came here... We have tasted the cherries and they are very delicious.”

Ghulamullah Saqib, an agriculture expert and trainer, said the region’s climate is well suited for cherries, which require 800 to 1,000 chilling hours to bear fruit.

“There are 14 varieties of cherry that are found in Gilgit-Baltistan,” he added.


Pakistan asks distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate Muharram gatherings

Updated 22 June 2025
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Pakistan asks distribution companies to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate Muharram gatherings

  • Thousands of Pakistanis take part in religious gatherings, processions every year in Muharram 
  • Energy ministry instructs DISCOs to inspect distribution networks, place teams on high alert

iSLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Energy Ministry on Sunday directed senior officials of distribution companies (DISCOs) to ensure uninterrupted power supply to facilitate religious gatherings next month during Muharram.

Thousands of Pakistanis every year during the Islamic month of Muharram take part in religious gatherings and processions to pay tribute to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. 

In its letter, the ministry said Muharram is falling in July when heat waves are expected in many parts of the country. 

“It is very much imperative that all necessary measures are taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to facilitate these religious gatherings and avoid any inconvenience to the public,” the letter said. 

 The ministry urged DISCOs to conduct thorough inspections of all transmission and distribution networks, particularly in areas where religious gatherings and processions are expected to take place.

It also directed the companies to deploy dedicated emergency response teams on high alert throughout Muharram, especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram when the main processions take place, to address any power disruptions immediately. 

The ministry instructed DISCOs to communicate with consumers, especially mosques and imambargahs, regarding any scheduled maintenance or potential load management measures to minimize inconvenience. 

“Assign duty rosters to ensure 24/7 availability of technical and operational staff during Muharram to respond swiftly to any power-related issues,” the letter read. 

“The sanctity of Muharram demands our utmost commitment to serving the public with diligence and respect,” it said. “Any negligence in this regard will be viewed seriously.”

The Energy Ministry directed DISCOs to submit a compliance report to the Power Division regarding the measures taken in this regard. 

Thousands of people suffer from power outages, lasting several hours each day, during the summers every year in Pakistan. 

Pakistan suffers from an energy crisis that stems largely from a gap in its energy supplies and electricity demand. The cash-strapped country lacks adequate resources to run its oil-and-gas-powered plants and imports most of its energy needs. 


India arrests two for harboring Kashmir attackers

Updated 22 June 2025
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India arrests two for harboring Kashmir attackers

  • Suspects provided food, shelter, logistical support to “terrorists” who killed tourists in Pahalgam, says Indian agency 
  • Pahalgam attack led to armed military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May in which over 70 were killed

SRINAGAR, India: New Delhi’s counter-terrorism agency said Sunday it has arrested two men in India-administered Kashmir for allegedly harboring Pakistani gunmen behind a deadly attack on civilians that sparked a days-long conflict between the two countries.

India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the two suspects were from the Pahalgam area, where gunmen killed 26 people two months ago.

“The two men had provided food, shelter and logistical support to the terrorists, who had... selectively killed the tourists on the basis of their religious identity,” a statement by NIA said. The majority of those killed were Hindu men.

The agency identified the two men as Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, claiming the duo “have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack,” and have confirmed they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group.

New Delhi has accused Pakistan of backing the attack without making public any evidence, and Islamabad has denied the charge.

The April 22 killings triggered a series of tit-for-tat diplomatic measures by the nuclear-armed countries and led to intense exchanges of missile, drone and artillery fire.

The four-day conflict left more than 70 people dead on both sides.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has been divided between the South Asian rivals — claimed by both in full — since their independence from British rule in 1947, and the neighbors have fought two wars over its control.

Rebel groups, demanding the divided region’s independence or merger with Pakistan, have waged an insurgency since 1989.