PAKISTAN RETALIATES AFTER INDIAN AIRSTRIKES HIT CIVILIAN AREAS; VOWS STRONG RESPONSE

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Armed Forces have launched a swift and forceful retaliation following what they describe as India’s “cowardly and unprovoked” airstrikes on civilian areas in Pakistan-Administered Kashmir and Punjab. Initial reports indicate that Indian warplanes carried out nighttime attacks on multiple locations, including Kotli, Ahmedpur East, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Muridke, resulting in significant civilian casualties.

Pakistani security officials and eyewitnesses report that residential areas, markets, and civilian infrastructure were deliberately targeted, with no major military installations affected. Disturbing images from the bombed sites show destroyed homes, burning vehicles, and rescue teams pulling survivors from the rubble. Hospitals in the region have declared emergencies as casualties, including women and children, continue to rise.

The Pakistan military has vowed a strong response, with the Pakistan Air Force scrambling jets and artillery units engaging Indian positions along the Line of Control. A military spokesperson stated, “India’s aggression under the cover of darkness reveals its true intentions. We will not let the blood of our innocent citizens go in vain.”

Prime Minister’s Office has called an emergency security meeting, with the government pledging full retaliation to defend national sovereignty. Meanwhile, India has yet to issue an official statement, though past claims of targeting “terrorist camps” have been dismissed by Pakistan as false pretexts for attacking civilians.

The international community, including the United Nations, is expected to urge restraint as fears of a wider conflict grow. This escalation marks the most serious military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors since the 2019 Balakot crisis.