ISLAMABAD: The National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday authorised Pakistan’s armed forces to undertake a response “at a time, place, and manner of their choosing” following Indian airstrikes that targeted multiple civilian areas across the country.
The NSC statement came after coordinated missile, air, and drone strikes carried out by Indian forces overnight on May 6–7, reportedly hitting locations in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad.
The attacks resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, and damaged civilian infrastructure such as mosques and a hydropower facility.
“On the night of May 6–7, the Indian Armed Forces launched coordinated missile, air, and drone strikes on multiple locations within Pakistan’s sovereign territory,” the statement said. “These unprovoked and unjustified attacks deliberately targeted civilian areas on the false pretext of imaginary terrorist camps, resulting in the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and children, and causing damage to civilian infrastructure, including mosques.”
The NSC noted that the strikes endangered commercial airlines from Gulf countries, putting thousands of passengers at risk. It also condemned the targeting of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, calling it a violation of international conventions.
Terming the attacks “unprovoked, cowardly, and unlawful acts of war,” the NSC underscored Pakistan’s right to respond under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which affirms a member state’s right to self-defense.
The statement added that the Pakistan Air Force had downed five Indian fighter jets and one drone during defensive operations and reaffirmed Pakistan’s readiness to respond to further provocations. The NSC criticised India for endangering civil aviation and breaching international humanitarian norms by striking civilian areas.
“Pakistan has consistently rejected Indian allegations regarding the presence of terrorist camps on its soil,” the NSC said. It added that following the April 22 attack, Pakistan had offered a credible, transparent, and neutral investigation, an offer that was rejected. International media personnel had already visited the alleged sites on May 6, with further visits planned.
“Apprehensive of its falsehoods being exposed, and without a shred of evidence, the Indian leadership, bereft of morality, has now resorted to attacking innocent civilians to serve its delusional and short-sighted political objectives,” the statement said.
The NSC urged the international community to take urgent notice and hold India accountable for what it described as a deliberate escalation with potentially grave regional consequences.
Civilian Toll Confirmed:
Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed that 26 civilians were killed and 46 injured in the overnight strikes.
Speaking at a press briefing, Lt Gen Chaudhry said India carried out 24 airstrikes on six locations inside Pakistani territory.
He reported that in Bahawalpur’s Ahmedpur East area, 13 people, including two three-year-old girls, seven women, and four men, were killed, with 37 others injured. Near Muzaffarabad, a strike on Bilal Mosque killed three people and injured two children. In Kotli, an attack on Abbas Mosque killed two teenagers, a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy, and injured a woman and her daughter.
No casualties were reported in Sialkot or Shakargarh, although a dispensary in Shakargarh sustained minor damage. Separately, Indian Army fire along the Line of Control killed five civilians, including a five-year-old child.
Lt Gen Chaudhry also confirmed that India targeted the Nauseri Dam, part of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, calling it a “dangerous escalation” with serious implications.
“This is an unacceptable act,” the DG ISPR said. “Targeting water infrastructure raises grave concerns regarding compliance with international humanitarian law.”
He further noted that 57 international flights were passing through Pakistani airspace during the strikes, highlighting the risk to civil aviation.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stressed that Pakistani aircraft did not cross into Indian airspace and that no Indian aircraft were allowed to penetrate Pakistani territory.
“Pakistan reserves the right to respond to any act of aggression in a manner and time of its choosing,” he said, reaffirming the armed forces’ commitment to defending the country’s sovereignty.
