1. Indian Airstrikes Spark Crisis: Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage
On the night of May 6–7, 2025, India conducted coordinated missile, drone, and airstrikes on multiple civilian areas in Pakistan, including Sialkot, Bahawalpur, Shakargarh, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. These unprovoked attacks, allegedly justified by false claims of terrorist camps, resulted in the martyrdom of 26 civilians, including children and women, and 46 others injured.
Civilian infrastructure was also damaged, notably mosques and the Neelum–Jhelum Hydropower Project, a critical water facility. Pakistan denounced the aggression as a violation of international law and humanitarian norms. It also expressed concern over the risk to civil aviation, with 57 international flights passing through Pakistani airspace during the strikes.
2. NSC Authorizes Military Retaliation Under UN Charter
In an emergency meeting, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) authorized the armed forces to respond “at a time, place, and manner of its own choosing.” The committee condemned the Indian strikes as “unlawful acts of war” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
The statement also emphasized that Pakistan had repeatedly denied Indian claims about terrorist camps and even invited international observers to visit the alleged locations. These efforts were ignored by India, which the NSC said was now targeting innocent civilians for political purposes.
During the defensive operations, the Pakistan Air Force downed five Indian fighter aircraft and one drone, while ensuring that no Pakistani aircraft entered Indian airspace, thus avoiding escalation.
3. DG ISPR Details Casualties and Targets: International Community Urged to Respond
Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), provided a detailed briefing on the aftermath. In Bahawalpur’s Ahmedpur East, 13 people—including two three-year-old girls—were killed, with dozens injured. In Muzaffarabad, a strike on Bilal Mosque claimed three lives, and Abbas Mosque in Kotli saw two teenagers martyred.
The military also confirmed that Indian shelling along the Line of Control led to the deaths of five more civilians, including a five-year-old child.
Terming the targeting of Nauseri Dam a “dangerous escalation,” Lt. Gen. Chaudhry said such actions violate international humanitarian law and conventions. He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peace but stressed its right to defend sovereignty. The NSC urged the international community to hold India accountable and warned of serious regional consequences if such provocations continue.
