Islamabad, May 7, 2025: In a decisive move, the National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday granted full authority to Pakistan’s armed forces to respond to recent Indian airstrikes at a time, place, and manner of their own choosing.
The announcement follows a series of coordinated missile, air, and drone strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces during the night of May 6–7, which reportedly targeted multiple civilian areas across Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Locations hit include Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, resulting in civilian casualties — including women and children — and damage to critical infrastructure such as mosques and the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project.
“These unprovoked and unjustified attacks deliberately targeted civilian populations under the false pretext of imaginary terrorist camps,” the NSC statement said. “They resulted in the martyrdom of innocent civilians and the destruction of protected civilian sites.”
The NSC described the strikes as “unprovoked, cowardly, and unlawful acts of war,” and underscored Pakistan’s inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. Crucially, the forum empowered the armed forces to execute retaliatory actions independently — not bound by external timelines or constraints.
“In light of these provocations, the Pakistan military is fully authorised to initiate corresponding actions at a time and in a manner of its own choosing,” the statement asserted, signalling a flexible and sovereign approach to deterrence.
The Pakistan Air Force reportedly downed five Indian fighter jets and one drone during its defensive response. The statement also condemned India for endangering international civil aviation, pointing out that commercial aircraft from friendly Gulf nations were placed at risk during the strikes.
The NSC reiterated that Pakistan has consistently rejected Indian allegations about the presence of militant camps on its soil, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.” It recalled that Islamabad had offered a credible, transparent, and neutral investigation following the April 22 incident — an offer that was not accepted by New Delhi.
“On May 6, international media had already inspected the alleged sites, and further visits were planned for May 7. India, fearing its narrative would collapse under scrutiny, has resorted to unjustified violence against civilians,” the statement added.
Calling on the international community to take urgent notice, Pakistan’s top national security forum warned that India’s actions represent a deliberate escalation with far-reaching consequences for regional peace and stability.
