On a tense Wednesday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the nation’s esteemed national security body has empowered its valiant armed forces to execute ‘corresponding actions’ in retaliation to Indian military strikes that intruded into Pakistani territory, resulting in the tragic overnight death of 26 civilians.
In an unprecedented military escalation between the nuclear-armed adversaries not seen in over twenty years, the Indian government claimed responsibility for striking nine facilities alleged to harbor ‘terrorist infrastructure’ that were involved in orchestrating a lethal attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. This violent episode unfolded on the picturesque tourist hill station of Pahalgam, within the Indian-governed part of Kashmir, culminating in the deaths of 26 men.
Pakistan’s military reported that six sites across its sovereign lands — including Ahmedpur East, Muridke, Sialkot, Shakargarh in the prosperous province of Punjab, as well as Kotli and Muzaffarabad in the enchanting region of Azad Kashmir — came under attack. Azad Kashmir is administered by Pakistan and constitutes part of the historically contested Kashmir valley.
Reacting swiftly, Pakistani military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry declared that five Indian fighter jets and a combat drone, which had audaciously invaded Pakistan’s airspace, were skillfully intercepted and brought down. The aircraft included three Rafales, alongside an MiG-29 and an Su-57.
Referring to Article-51 of the United Nations Charter, PM Sharif’s office asserted their unwavering resolve, stating that Pakistan retains the right to defend itself and retaliate at a time, place, and manner of its choosing, in order to honor the innocents lost and uphold its sovereignty.
‘With authority vested upon them, Pakistan’s Armed Forces have been mandated to conduct appropriate measures in this critical regard.’
The official statement further intensified, claiming that India has, ‘against all reasoning and logic, rekindled a blaze in the region,’ and placed the onus of any subsequent repercussions squarely on New Delhi’s shoulders.