Death toll from Indian missile attacks rises to 31, says DG ISPR

At least 31 people were martyred and 57 were injured in Indian missile attacks at 6 locations in Pakistan in the wee hours of Wednesday, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said in his latest press conference.

DG ISPR said Pakistan reserves the right to respond the “unprovoked” attacks by India.

He said India attacked on innocent civilians including children, which the ISPR spokesperson said was tantamount to terrorism.

DG ISPR informed that Pakistan forces also shot down Indian drones along with jets, while all Pakistan aircrafts had remained safe.

He further said the declaration of the National Security Committee had authorised the Armed Forces to respond to Indian attacks at a time and manner of their choosing.

DG ISPR noted that India’s attacks on civilian populations and water infrastructure constitute clear violations of international laws, particularly the Geneva Conventions.

“Under the Geneva Convention, civilians and critical infrastructure like dams cannot be targeted during conflict. By attacking these, India has breached international humanitarian law,” he said.

‘Enemy will have to suffer consequences’

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Pakistan was determined to avenge every drop of blood of its martyrs from the Indian missile strikes and that the enemy “will have to suffer consequences”.

In a televised address, the premier said Pakistan had offered a transparent and independent inquiry into the Pahalgam attack, but India did not reciprocate.

“Instead, they fired missiles inside our territory, thinking we would back down and will not retaliate,” the prime minister said.

‘Pakistan’s response yet to come’

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman and former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari warned India of a response to the recent attacks, declaring that Pakistan’s answer was “yet to come.”

“Pakistan is not in favour of war but reserves the right to respond after being attacked,” Bilawal said in his speech in the National Assembly.

“You attacked us, attacked innocent civilians, children and our land … now you will have to prepare because Pakistan’s answer is yet to come,” he said.