Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned India’s missile strikes on Pakistani cities and the disputed region of Kashmir as “cowardly attacks” on Wednesday. As the death toll from the strikes climbed to 26, Sharif vowed that Pakistan would give a “befitting reply” to what he called an “act of war” by India.
The missile strikes, which India said were launched against nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, have escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, reported that 46 people, including women and children, were injured in the attacks. Most of the casualties were from the North-Eastern town of Ahmedpur Sharqia, where a missile hit a mosque, killing 13 people.
India’s missile strikes targeted several cities across Pakistan, including Bahawalpur, Muridke, Sialkot, Shakargarh, Ahmadpur Sharqia, Muzaffarabad, and Kotli. Pakistan accused India of targeting at least two hydropower structures, a move it called a violation of international laws and norms.
Chaudhry responded to the strikes by stating that Pakistan reserved the right to retaliate at a time and place of its choosing, declaring, “The enemy will never be allowed to succeed in his nefarious objectives.”
In retaliation, Pakistan claimed to have downed five Indian Air Force jets and a drone. The escalating conflict prompted Pakistan to partially reopen its airspace for commercial flights, which had been shut down due to the missile strikes.
The Pakistan Foreign Ministry has also taken the issue to the United Nations, informing the UN Security Council that the Indian strikes pose a significant threat to international peace and security. Pakistan highlighted its right to defend itself under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
The missile strikes came after a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, alleging cross-border links. Pakistan has denied any involvement, calling the accusations baseless.
The Pakistani government also declared a state of emergency in Punjab, the province bordering India, and closed schools in the capital city of Islamabad in response to the heightened security situation. The ongoing conflict between the two countries has raised concerns of further violence and instability in the region.
As the situation continues to unfold, international observers are closely monitoring the conflict between the two nations, both of which possess nuclear weapons. The recent missile exchanges highlight the fragile peace that exists between the neighboring countries, with both sides accusing each other of acts of aggression.
