3 PAKISTANIS MARTYRED, 12 INJURED: ISPR

MUZAFFARABAD: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry today said three Pakistanis were martyred and 12 were injured in “cowardly” missile strikes by India in Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad in a “cowardly attack” after midnight for which retaliation by the military was already under way.

The strikes come as tensions have escalated intensely between the two countries in the wake of a militant attack in occupied Kashmir’s Pahalgam.

DG Chaudhry while speaking to a local TV channel said: “Some time ago from now, the cowardly enemy India launched air strikes on Subhanullah mosque in Bahwalpur’s Ahmed East area, Kotli and Muzaffarabad at three places from the air.

“All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India’s airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan.” He noted: “Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered.”

When questioned about potential casualties, DG ISPR said that damage assessments are ongoing and that he would provide more information at a later point. “This temporary happiness that India has achieved with this cowardly attack will be replaced with enduring grief.”

A post on X by state broadcaster PTV News, quoting security sources, said Pakistan has begun its retaliatory action. “In the cowardly attack, one innocent child has been martyred so far, while one woman and one man are seriously injured. India targeted innocent Pakistanis in a cowardly attack under the cover of night,” the statement said.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told media that civilian areas were attacked. “The attacks were carried out on civilian areas,” Asif said, adding that the “cowards” attacked from their own airspace. “They never left their house. Let them come out, we will respond fittingly.”

When asked about Pakistan’s decisions, Asif replied that Pakistan will retaliate. “We will give a far greater response than their own strike,” the minister said. “Not only did they attack civilians but they did it from their own airspace.” Multiple loud explosions were heard in Azad Jammu and Kashmir area close to the mountains around the city of Muzaffarabad after midnight, multiple Reuters witnesses said.

After the explosions, the city’s power was blacked out, the witnesses said.

Confirming the development, the Indian government said: “A little while ago, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor” and hit infrastructure in Pakistan and AJK from which it alleged “terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed”.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 07 2025

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