Deadly Retaliation: 26 Killed, 46 Injured
According to DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Indian strikes resulted in 26 deaths and 46 injuries, many of them civilians. He condemned the attacks as “unprovoked” and accused India of deliberately targeting civilian areas in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Bahawalpur.
Pakistan’s air defense systems responded swiftly, downing five Indian jets that had violated Pakistani airspace and a drone conducting surveillance. The dramatic response signals Pakistan’s readiness to retaliate against what it calls “cowardly acts of aggression.”
Political Leadership Reacts: Unity Against Aggression
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif immediately convened a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) to assess the situation and formulate a comprehensive response. Political leaders across party lines condemned the Indian strikes, calling them “an act of desperation and provocation.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a stern statement, saying that Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing, and urged the international community to “take notice of India’s reckless behavior.”
Global Outcry: Trump Labels India’s Action a “Shame”
The international community is watching the developments closely. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, in a surprising statement, called India’s strikes a “shameful and unnecessary escalation,” urging both sides to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic channels.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for “maximum restraint” from both countries, warning that the situation could spiral out of control if not de-escalated promptly.
Background: The Triggering Event
India’s strikes were launched in response to the 22 April militant attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians—including 25 Indians and one Nepali national. India blamed the attack on Pakistan-based militants, though it has not named a specific group.
Pakistan has denied any involvement in the attack and has accused India of using the tragedy to justify aggression against its neighbor.
What’s Next?
With both sides locked in a cycle of accusation and retaliation, the threat of a broader conflict looms large. Diplomatic backchannels are reportedly active, but the road to de-escalation remains uncertain.
As calls for calm echo across global capitals, one thing is clear: the Kashmir dispute continues to be a volatile flashpoint—one with far-reaching consequences not just for India and Pakistan, but for global peace and stability.
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