Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Wednesday that 26 innocent Pakistani civilians were martyred and 46 sustained injuries in Indian missile attacks on cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
DG ISPR Lt. General Ahmed Sharif while addressing a press briefing on Wendesday morning, said that India repeated its “cowardly history” by launching attacks on Pakistan under the cover of darkness.
He said that Indian forces targeted civilian areas, resulting in significant casualties.
Providing updates on the situation, he confirmed that Indian strikes on six different locations have so far claimed 26 innocent lives and left 46 others injured.
In a tragic incident, 13 people including two young girls were martyred when a mosque in Ahmedpur East was deliberately targeted. Similarly, in Muridke, another mosque was attacked, leading to the martyrdom of 3 individuals and injury to one, the DG ISPR stated.
In Muzaffarabad, 3 civilians were martyred, while a girl and a boy sustained injuries. In Kotli, a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy lost their lives after Mosque Abbas was targeted. A mother and child were also injured in the same attack.
While Sialkot and Shakargarh were among the targets, no casualties were reported in those areas.
DG ISPR further revealed that Pakistan shot down five Indian aircraft and one drone in its right to self-defense. The downed aircraft include three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, and one SU-series fighter.
India has continued unprovoked shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) since last night, which has already resulted in the martyrdom of five innocent civilians.
He also confirmed that the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project’s Noseri Dam structure sustained damage in the Indian strikes.
“The Pakistan Armed Forces have given a resolute and forceful response, and will continue to do so,” the military spokesperson affirmed.
Earlier, shortly after midnight, explosions were heard in multiple cities, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad, reported state media.
Lt Gen Chaudhry announced shortly after that the Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes across cities in Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
Slamming the India attack, the military spokesperson said: “All of our air force jets are airborne. This is a shameful and cowardly attack that was carried from within India’s airspace.”
“They were never allowed to intrude Pakistan’s airspace”.
“Let me say it unequivocally, Pakistan will respond to this [attack] at a time and place of its choosing,” warned the DG ISPR. “This provocation will not go unanswered.”
Lt Gen Chaudhry said damage assessments are currently underway and further details will be shared in due course.
Just after midnight, loud explosions were reported in the mountainous region near Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, according to Reuters witnesses. The blasts triggered a citywide power outage, plunging the area into darkness.
“There is temporary happiness that India has achieved with this cowardly attack, which will be replaced with enduring grief,” said the military spokesperson signaling a strong response from Pakistan to the attack.
Speaking to foreign media outlet, Federal Information Minister Atta Tarar on Tuesday confirmed that Pakistan has shot down two Indian fighter jets in response to cross-border aggression.
He said that the Pakistan Armed Forces are giving a “befitting and strong” response to Indian hostilities.
“India has deliberately targeted civilian populations, which is a clear violation of international laws,” he added.
Tarar further said that India has no evidence to support its allegations regarding the Pahalgam attack.
‘Pakistan reserves right to respond appropriately’
In a statement, the Foreign Office said in an unprovoked and blatant act of war, the Indian Air Force, while remaining within Indian airspace, has violated Pakistan’s sovereignty using standoff weapons, targeting civilian population across international border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, and across Line of Control in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“India’s act of aggression has resulted in martyrdom of civilians, including women and children. This act of aggression has also caused grave threat to commercial air traffic,” FO Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said.
“We strongly condemn India’s cowardly action, which is a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations.”
In the wake of Pahalgam attack, the Indian leadership has once again used the bogey of terrorism to advance its sham narrative of victimhood, jeopardising regional peace and security, the FO said adding that India’s reckless action has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict.
“The situation continues to evolve. Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with the Article-51 of the UN Charter, and as enshrined in international law.”
It further said: “The government, armed forces and people of Pakistan stand united in the face of Indian aggression. They will always act with iron resolve to protect and preserve the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan.”
The two nuclear-armed neighbours are experiencing a period of heightened tensions since the April 22 attack on tourists in the scenic resort town, in which at least 26 people were killed.
This is a developing story.
