Tensions have flared dangerously between India and Pakistan, with Islamabad claiming that Indian air strikes killed 26 civilians in what it described as a gross violation of its sovereignty. In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar urgently briefed China’s Ambassador Jiang Zaidong, stressing the gravity of the situation.
Dar’s office issued a statement condemning the Indian operation, saying he highlighted the “serious situation following India’s unprovoked violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the tragic loss of innocent lives.”
“[Dar] underscored Pakistan’s firm resolve to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs,” the statement read, adding that both nations “agreed to maintain close coordination and communication across all relevant areas.”
China’s foreign ministry weighed in on the conflict, calling the Indian military action “regrettable” and urging restraint.
Pakistan Rejects Terror Camp Claims, Cites Right to Self-Defence
The National Security Committee (NSC) of Pakistan, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened to address what the government labelled an “unlawful act of war” by India. The NSC firmly denied Indian claims that terrorist camps were operating inside Pakistan.
“We made a sincere offer for a credible, transparent and neutral investigation immediately after the 22 April 2025 incident, which unfortunately was not accepted,” the statement noted.
Referring to Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan asserted its right to self-defence and warned of retaliation: “It reserves the right to respond to India at a time, place and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of civilian lives and the violation of its sovereignty.”
They also claimed it had shot down five Indian fighter jets and drones—a statement India has yet to respond to.
“The country’s armed forces have been fully authorised to carry out corresponding actions,” said the NSC, pledging to protect Pakistan’s “territorial integrity against Indian aggression.”
Border Shelling, Airport Closures, and Calls for Calm in Kashmir
As both sides traded accusations, India reported 10 civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control. Airports in northern India were closed amid heightened tensions, impacting travel across the region.
Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet announced cancellations to and from key northern cities, including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Amritsar, Jodhpur, and Dharamsala, citing instructions from aviation authorities. There has been no official word yet from India’s aviation regulator.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah spoke publicly for the first time since the air strikes, urging calm but supporting India’s actions.
“Only terror sites in Pakistan were hit, not military areas or civilians. But Pakistan has bombed some areas and our civilians were targeted in it,” he told ANI News.
Abdullah added that people in the region should remain calm and stay put.
“They don’t have to run away from here,” he assured. “The region has enough stocks of essentials to sustain them through a crisis.”
With both nations vowing to protect their national interests and civilians bearing the brunt, the eyes of the world are now fixed on South Asia, hoping that diplomatic channels will be reopened before tensions spiral out of control.
