Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, granted its armed forces authority to strike India “at the time, place, and manner of their choosing” in response to Indian airstrikes on May 6–7 that targeted civilian areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, killing civilians, including women and children.
The NSC condemned the “unprovoked and unlawful” Indian missile, air, and drone attacks on Sialkot, Shakargarh, Muridke, Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad, which damaged mosques and the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project.
The strikes, labelled as targeting “imaginary terrorist camps,” also endangered Gulf commercial airlines, violating international norms.
Pakistan’s Air Force downed five Indian fighter jets and a drone during defensive operations, the NSC said, reaffirming readiness for further provocations.
The statement rejected India’s claims of terrorist camps, noting Pakistan’s offer for a neutral investigation post the April 22 Pahalgam attack was ignored. International media visits to alleged sites on May 6, with more planned for May 7, were cited as proof of India’s “falsehoods.”
The NSC accused India of escalating tensions for political gain and urged global powers to hold India accountable for risking regional stability, invoking Pakistan’s right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
Source: Express Tribune