In a late-night air assault described as cowardly, India launched multiple missile strikes on Pakistani territory, resulting in the martyrdom of eight Pakistani civilians and injuries to 35 others, with two individuals reported missing.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, India carried out 24 strikes at six different locations. During a late-night press briefing, he confirmed that among the sites targeted was the Subhan Mosque in Ahmedpur East, where five people, including a 3-year-old girl, were martyred and 31 were injured.
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry stated that other targets included Bilal Mosque in Shahi Wali neighborhood of Muzaffarabad, where one child was injured, and Abbas Mosque in Kotli. In Muridke, the Umul Qura Mosque was attacked, resulting in one death and one injury. Two strikes each were also reported in Sialkot and Shakargarh.
Speaking earlier to ARY News, the DG ISPR confirmed that cowardly Indian forces had struck three key areas—Ahmed East in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad—with airstrikes targeting mosques.
He emphasized, “Let me make it very clear: Pakistan will respond at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered.”
When asked about potential casualties, the ISPR chief stated that damage assessments were ongoing and more details would be shared later.
He warned India that the temporary sense of triumph from these attacks would soon turn into permanent regret. Speaking later to Geo News, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry detailed the specific areas targeted: Kotli, Ahmedpur East in Bahawalpur, Bagh, Muzaffarabad, and Muridke.
He confirmed that in Ahmedpur East, a missile hit near a mosque, damaging a nearby home where a family was trapped. In Kotli, two civilians were martyred. A missile also struck a road in Muzaffarabad, though no casualties were reported there.
He noted that targeting mosques reflects the extremist Hindutva ideology promoted by India’s RSS, emphasizing the religious and ideological dimension of the attacks.
Pakistan’s Response Underway
Lt. Gen. Chaudhry confirmed that Pakistan’s countermeasures were ongoing both on land and in the air. A post by state broadcaster PTV News on X (formerly Twitter), citing security sources, confirmed that a retaliatory operation had already been initiated by Pakistan.
In this attack, one innocent child was martyred while a man and woman were critically injured. The Indian assault specifically targeted innocent civilians under the cover of night.
“We Will Respond with Greater Force,” Says Defence Minister
Speaking to ARY News, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif condemned the attack on civilian areas and called it an act of cowardice. He stated that the Indian military never left its own territory, choosing instead to strike from within its airspace.
“If they dare step outside their borders, we will respond appropriately,” he warned.
When asked about Pakistan’s next steps, Asif affirmed that a response was imminent. “Our response will be far stronger than their initial assault,” he added.
Eyewitness Reports and Power Outages in Muzaffarabad
According to Reuters, eyewitnesses in Muzaffarabad reported hearing multiple loud explosions in the mountains surrounding the city shortly after midnight. The blasts were followed by a power outage that plunged the area into darkness.
India Confirms ‘Operation Sandur’
The Indian government confirmed the strike, revealing that its armed forces had launched “Operation Sandur,” targeting infrastructure in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. India claimed the locations were being used to plan and direct terrorist attacks against Indian territory.
India’s Ministry of Defence claimed the strikes were “targeted, calibrated, and non-escalatory,” adding that no Pakistani military installations were targeted. They further stated that India exercised significant restraint in selecting targets and conducting the operation.
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