Pakistan Authorizes Military Response to India Amid Rising Tensions
The Pakistani government grants the military authority to retaliate against Indian strikes, amid fears of escalating conflict and the potential for nuclear war.
On Wednesday, the Pakistani government authorized its military to respond appropriately to recent Indian strikes, while also acknowledging the possibility of a nuclear conflict.
A statement from the Prime Minister's Office noted that the National Security Council, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened to discuss the situation following missile attacks from India described as 'unjustified, cowardly, and illegal.' The council condemned the attacks, emphasizing that they were deliberately targeted at civilian infrastructure, including mosques, and amounted to acts of war under international law, violating Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the statement, Pakistan has the right to respond in a manner and at a time of its choosing to defend itself, as outlined in the United Nations Charter.
The government has formally delegated authority to the armed forces for an appropriate military response.
Prime Minister Sharif asserted, 'We do not fear death and are always ready for sacrifice,' reiterating that the Indian attacks lack justification.
He praised the performance of Pakistani pilots, stating they successfully repelled all Indian attempts and demonstrated exceptional skill.
'Our forces defended 240 million Pakistanis, and we are proud of them,' he added, vowing to seek retribution for every drop of blood shed in the Indian attacks.
He also emphasized the right of Kashmiris to determine their own destiny.
The Indian military announced on Tuesday that it had launched an operation against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, successfully striking what it termed 'terrorist structures.' However, Islamabad contended that the Indian forces targeted six civilian locations, resulting in 26 deaths and leaving 46 others injured.
In response, the Pakistani military claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft during the confrontation.
A Pakistani military spokesperson, General Ahmed Sharif, identified the downed aircraft as two Rafale jets, one Su-30, and one MiG-29.
Indian officials reported that airstrikes by Pakistan killed 10 individuals and injured 48 others in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir.
Additionally, an Indian security source confirmed that three Indian fighter jets crashed for 'unknown reasons' within Indian territory.
The Pakistani government characterized India's military maneuvers as igniting 'hell' in the region, warning India to bear the consequences of its actions.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that the escalating tensions could lead to a nuclear confrontation, asserting, 'There is certainly a possibility of a nuclear war between the two countries...
if India imposes a full-scale war on the region and such risks emerge, a nuclear war could break out at any moment.' He emphasized that the Indian government would bear full responsibility if it provokes Pakistan towards a nuclear conflict.
In remarks to a media outlet, the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan stated that the Indian attack on Pakistan constitutes a declaration of war.
Tensions have been escalating between India and Pakistan since April 22, following an attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 deaths and numerous injuries.
Indian officials attributed the attack to militants who 'came from Pakistan,' while Islamabad countered that India was conducting a disinformation campaign against it.
In response to the attack, India announced it would suspend the 'Indus Waters Treaty' governing water distribution and demanded the departure of Pakistani diplomats from New Delhi within a week.
In retaliation, Pakistan denied the allegations from India, limited the number of Indian diplomatic staff in Islamabad, and declared that any interference with the rivers outside the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an act of war, halting all trade with India and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.
A statement from the Prime Minister's Office noted that the National Security Council, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened to discuss the situation following missile attacks from India described as 'unjustified, cowardly, and illegal.' The council condemned the attacks, emphasizing that they were deliberately targeted at civilian infrastructure, including mosques, and amounted to acts of war under international law, violating Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to the statement, Pakistan has the right to respond in a manner and at a time of its choosing to defend itself, as outlined in the United Nations Charter.
The government has formally delegated authority to the armed forces for an appropriate military response.
Prime Minister Sharif asserted, 'We do not fear death and are always ready for sacrifice,' reiterating that the Indian attacks lack justification.
He praised the performance of Pakistani pilots, stating they successfully repelled all Indian attempts and demonstrated exceptional skill.
'Our forces defended 240 million Pakistanis, and we are proud of them,' he added, vowing to seek retribution for every drop of blood shed in the Indian attacks.
He also emphasized the right of Kashmiris to determine their own destiny.
The Indian military announced on Tuesday that it had launched an operation against targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, successfully striking what it termed 'terrorist structures.' However, Islamabad contended that the Indian forces targeted six civilian locations, resulting in 26 deaths and leaving 46 others injured.
In response, the Pakistani military claimed to have shot down five Indian aircraft during the confrontation.
A Pakistani military spokesperson, General Ahmed Sharif, identified the downed aircraft as two Rafale jets, one Su-30, and one MiG-29.
Indian officials reported that airstrikes by Pakistan killed 10 individuals and injured 48 others in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir.
Additionally, an Indian security source confirmed that three Indian fighter jets crashed for 'unknown reasons' within Indian territory.
The Pakistani government characterized India's military maneuvers as igniting 'hell' in the region, warning India to bear the consequences of its actions.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif stated that the escalating tensions could lead to a nuclear confrontation, asserting, 'There is certainly a possibility of a nuclear war between the two countries...
if India imposes a full-scale war on the region and such risks emerge, a nuclear war could break out at any moment.' He emphasized that the Indian government would bear full responsibility if it provokes Pakistan towards a nuclear conflict.
In remarks to a media outlet, the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan stated that the Indian attack on Pakistan constitutes a declaration of war.
Tensions have been escalating between India and Pakistan since April 22, following an attack on tourists in the Pahalgam area of Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 deaths and numerous injuries.
Indian officials attributed the attack to militants who 'came from Pakistan,' while Islamabad countered that India was conducting a disinformation campaign against it.
In response to the attack, India announced it would suspend the 'Indus Waters Treaty' governing water distribution and demanded the departure of Pakistani diplomats from New Delhi within a week.
In retaliation, Pakistan denied the allegations from India, limited the number of Indian diplomatic staff in Islamabad, and declared that any interference with the rivers outside the provisions of the Indus Waters Treaty would be considered an act of war, halting all trade with India and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.
