Pakistan Military Authorised To Strike India ‘At Time, Place And Manner Of Own Choosing’

On Wednesday, the National Security Committee (NSC) authorised Pakistan’s armed forces to take appropriate action in response to Indian airstrikes that targeted multiple civilian areas.

The strikes, launched overnight on May 6-7, hit locations in Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli and Muzaffarabad. The attack led to civilian deaths, including women and children and caused damage to civilian infrastructure such as mosques and the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project.

The NSC’s statement condemned the Indian attack, calling it “unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful.” It highlighted that India’s strikes were based on the false claim of targeting terrorist camps and resulted in civilian casualties. The NSC also emphasised that these attacks endangered commercial airlines, as 57 international flights were passing through Pakistani airspace at the time. Pakistan’s military has reserved the right to respond to this aggression, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for self-defense.

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DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed 26 civilian deaths and 46 injuries caused by 24 airstrikes on six different locations. In Bahawalpur, 13 people, including two three-year-old girls, were martyred. Three fatalities occurred near Muzaffarabad after an attack on Bilal Mosque, while the Abbas Mosque in Kotli saw two teenagers killed. Additionally, Indian army firing along the Line of Control resulted in five civilian deaths, including a five-year-old child.

The attack on Pakistan’s water infrastructure, including the Nauseri Dam, was condemned as a dangerous escalation. Lt Gen Chaudhry remarked that targeting water resources raises serious concerns about India’s compliance with international humanitarian law. He stressed that Pakistan’s aircraft did not cross into Indian airspace, and no Indian aircraft were allowed into Pakistani territory. The armed forces remain committed to defending Pakistan’s sovereignty and will respond to future provocations at their discretion.