RAWALPINDI, Wednesday, May 07, 2025 (WNP): At least 31 civilians were martyred and 57 others injured after Indian forces launched a series of overnight missile strikes on Pakistani territory between May 6 and 7, in what Pakistan’s military described as a deliberate and cowardly escalation targeting civilians and religious sites.

Addressing a press conference, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry condemned the attacks, saying Indian forces fired under the cover of darkness, hitting residential neighborhoods and mosques across the Line of Control (LoC). “This is not an act of war — this is a crime against humanity,” he said.

The military spokesperson accused the Modi-led Indian government of targeting innocent civilians, including women and children, as part of what he termed a “desperate and cowardly strategy” to provoke regional instability. “India could not face the Pakistani military in battle, so it targeted the defenseless in the dark of night,” he added.

Lt Gen Chaudhry said Indian shelling damaged multiple mosques, desecrating copies of the Holy Quran — a move he called a “new moral low” and an attack not just on Pakistan but on the sanctity of all religions. “Is there any faith in the world that permits the destruction of places of worship and sacred scripture?” he asked, showing footage of destroyed religious sites.

The DG ISPR emphasized that Pakistan responded with professionalism and precision, targeting only Indian military positions along the LoC. “We do not mirror India’s cowardice. Our retaliatory strikes were confined to legitimate military targets — not a single civilian was harmed by Pakistani fire,” he said.

He confirmed that in response to India’s attempted air incursions, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) shot down five Indian fighter jets — including three Rafales, one MiG-29, and one Su-30 — along with an Israeli-made Heron drone. “Our airspace remained secure. Not one Indian aircraft entered Pakistani airspace, and not one of our aircraft crossed into Indian territory,” he clarified.

Lt Gen Chaudhry also revealed that India had targeted the Noseri Dam near the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, endangering thousands of lives and critical infrastructure. He warned that such attacks on water installations violated multiple provisions of international law, including Articles 54 and 56 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit targeting infrastructure essential for civilian survival.

“No civilized nation attacks dams or water systems,” he said, adding that Pakistan had presented the global community with visual evidence of India’s violation of humanitarian norms and international law.

In addition to its air assault, India launched multiple drones, including reconnaissance variants. According to the DG ISPR, Pakistan’s Armed Forces neutralized several of them using electronic warfare (EW) systems. “We suffered no combat casualties, and all military assets remain safe and fully operational,” he said.

He also pointed to the suspicious timing of the Indian assault, noting it coincided with Pakistan’s scheduled media tour of areas falsely labeled by India as “terrorist training camps.” Around 150 local and international journalists were visiting Bahawalpur, Muridke, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad — the same areas India had accused of harboring militants.

“These journalists saw for themselves the truth — no training camps, only mosques, homes, and peaceful neighborhoods,” Chaudhry said. “India launched missiles just as Pakistan was exposing its lies to the world.”

He warned that India’s reckless escalation endangered not only regional peace but also international aviation. “At the time of India’s missile strikes, 57 commercial flights were in the air over Pakistan — including aircraft from PIA, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudi Airlines, and others,” he disclosed. “This shows India’s disregard for international norms and the lives of innocent passengers.”

Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to peace, the military spokesperson stressed that the country’s restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. “The people of Pakistan and its Armed Forces are united. We stand ready to defend every inch of our land, and we will never compromise on our sovereignty,” he declared.

Lt Gen Chaudhry praised the Pakistani nation for its unity in the face of aggression, calling the people “an unbreakable wall” standing with their soldiers. He urged citizens to maintain this national resolve.

In a final, firm message to India, the DG ISPR said: “Every drop of innocent blood will be accounted for. Justice will prevail — Insha’Allah.”