NSC grants army full authority to retaliate India under UN mandate: ISPR chief

ISLAMABAD: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif said on Tuesday that the civilian death toll from last night’s “cowardly” Indian attack has risen to 31, with 57 others injured.

Addressing a press conference, he said Pakistan responded swiftly to the “blatant and naked” Indian aggression, targeting military installations across the border.

Also read: Pakistan shoots down five Indian fighter jets; eight Pakistani martyred: ISPR

He added that the attack exposed the “vile face” of India, which targeted innocent civilians and even mosques.

Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that India targeted innocent civilians and children during the night between May 6 and 7, questioning, “If this is not terrorism, then what is?”

The ISPR chief said: “These were innocent children who had yet to experience the joys of life. Are these the ‘terrorists’ India targeted that night? This is exactly what we’ve come to expect from India. We have previously seen how India promotes terrorism through its proxies, and the world has seen evidence of it.”

He further said that when the Pakistani state made life difficult for terrorists, India resorted to direct acts of terrorism alongside its military, targeting civilians and children. “This is terrorism, plain and simple,” he said.

Lt-Gen Sharif said that India’s involvement in cross-border terrorism and targeted killings has been proven with evidence and is now recognised globally.

He also said that the Indian military targeted mosques at several locations inside Pakistan, desecrating copies of the Holy Quran.

“What kind of religion permits the destruction and disrespect of other faiths’ places of worship and their sacred texts?” he asked.

He said that, in contrast, the Pakistan Armed Forces responded to Indian aggression by striking only military targets — unlike India, which deliberately targeted children. “Our chosen targets were strictly military in nature—those that posed a threat to Pakistan’s sovereignty and its citizens,” he said.

The ISPR chief said that in today’s meeting of the National Security Committee, it was decided that under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to self-defence and has granted full authority to the armed forces to respond at a time, place, and manner of their choosing.

He said the NSC’s statement made it clear that the nation is proud of its armed forces — and the armed forces are equally proud of their brave nation. “Both stand united against Indian aggression,” he said.

He reaffirmed that Pakistan’s strong desire for peace should never be mistaken for weakness, stating, “The Pakistan Armed Forces will never compromise on the safety of our people or the sovereignty of our land.”

Lt-Gen Sharif Chaudhry said he wished to pay tribute to the people of Pakistan for standing united in the face of Indian aggression. “The way the nation came together, spoke with one voice, and stood shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces like a wall of steel is truly commendable.”

“You must be sensing this unity, resolve, and anger in your surroundings—in your neighbourhoods, towns, and villages,” he noted.

The ISPR chief concluded by saying that the Pakistan Armed Forces want to assure the proud people of Pakistan that every last drop of innocent blood will be accounted for.