In a statement released after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) has claimed that India targeted civilian areas in its “Operation Sindoor.”
It said that India’s “unjustified attacks” deliberately targeted the civilian areas, on the “false pretext of presence of imaginary terrorist camps”, and caused “grave danger to commercial airlines.”
Asserting that India has once again “ignited an inferno” in the region, the NSC called on the international community to recognise the gravity of its “unprovoked illegal actions” and to hold it accountable for its blatant violations of international norms and laws. It stated, “The responsibility for ensuing consequences shall lie squarely with India.”
The release also emphatically rejected the Indian allegation that Pakistan was involved in what happened in Pahalgam.
Pakistan also blamed India for attacking a hydroelectric power facility [which brings water from the Neelum River to the Jhelum River], saying that this was an act against international law and that Pakistan reserves the right to respond.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar termed the Indian strikes as a “flagrant violation” of Pakistan’s sovereignty, the UN Charter & international law. “It has jeopardized regional peace,” he said in a statement on X.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Dar rejected the “baseless” Indian claims of targeting terrorist infrastructure. It added, “He maintained that there was no credible evidence linking Pakistan with the Pahalgam Attack.”
Ishaq Dar also urged the international community to hold India accountable for “its irresponsible and reckless conduct.”
In a statement, the Foreign Office termed the strikes by the “Indian Air Force, while remaining within Indian airspace,” as an “unprovoked and blatant act of war.”
Also, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told a news agency that Pakistan will respond with full force, adding, “We will pay off this debt in the manner such debt is paid.”
He said that Pakistan’s response would be both kinetic and diplomatic, and it would not take long to retaliate to the Indian attack. “All places are open for the international media to verify if they targeted terrorists’ camps or civilians,” he said.
Officials said that the Indian strikes targeted five places in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bagh in PoK and in the Bahawalpur and Muridke areas of Punjab.
India launched air strikes on the Subhanullah mosque in Bahwalpur’s Ahmed East area, Kotli and Muzaffarabad at three places from the air, an army spokesman told a news channel.
Separately, Turkiye’s Foreign Ministry denounced India’s overnight attacks on Pakistan, claiming they targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure.
In a statement, the ministry warned that the “provocative steps” have opened the door to “all-out war.”
It also called on all parties to act sensibly and said that it hopes steps would be taken to reduce tensions as soon as possible.
India’s Defence Minister Claims Attacks Did Not Affect Civilians
Meanwhile, India’s Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh claimed that India’s overnight attacks on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir did not harm civilians, contradicting Pakistani government claims of civilian casualties.
The Defence Minister was quoted as saying by The Times of India, “We only hit those who killed innocents.” He added, “Under the guidance of PM Narendra Modi, our Indian armed forces have made us all proud.”
Ties between India and Pakistan plummeted following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
India announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties following the terror attack.
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