Pakistan did not side with India in the Indo-Pak conflict; rather, it was in direct confrontation with India. The situation escalated after an attack in Pahalgam, located in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir. In response, India allegedly launched a night-time military operation between May 6 and 7, targeting civilian areas in Azad Kashmir and Punjab, areas under Pakistani control. This attack reportedly resulted in the deaths of 31 Pakistanis, including children, and left 51 others injured.
Following the Indian strike, Pakistan retaliated forcefully, claiming to have shot down several Indian aircraft, including a Rafale, a MiG-29, a Su-30, and a combat drone. Pakistan’s military also launched Operation Iron Wall (Bunyan Marsus) on May 10, which it described as a successful response to India’s aggression.
During these heightened tensions, Turkey openly supported Pakistan, a stance that drew sharp criticism from India. As a result, Indian traders, particularly in Pune, began a campaign to boycott Turkish apples. This boycott quickly gained traction, significantly reducing the availability of Turkish apples in local markets. Turkish apples, which typically generate a seasonal trade of Rs 1,000 to 1,200 crore, were almost entirely absent from the fruit markets as a result of the boycott. Traders confirmed a steep drop in demand for Turkish apples and stated that they had stopped purchasing from Turkey, instead turning to suppliers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Iran, and other regions.
The claim that Pakistan sided with India is incorrect. The events clearly show that Pakistan and India were engaged in direct conflict, and Turkey’s support for Pakistan led to India’s economic retaliation through consumer boycotts.
