ISLAMABAD: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed on Wednesday that 26 Pakistani civilians were martyred and 46 others injured in a series of overnight Indian airstrikes targeting civilian areas across the country.
In a press briefing, Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that India conducted 24 airstrikes on six separate locations within Pakistani territory. Among the most heavily affected areas was Ahmedpur East in Bahawalpur, where 13 civilians, including two three-year-old girls, seven women, and four men, lost their lives. Thirty-seven others sustained injuries — nine women and 28 men.
In Muzaffarabad, an Indian strike on Bilal Mosque killed three people, while a young boy and girl were injured. A separate attack in Kotli targeted the Abbas Mosque, resulting in the deaths of two teenagers — a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy — while a woman and her daughter were wounded in the same incident.
In response, Pakistan’s armed forces launched retaliatory operations, shooting down five Indian aircraft engaged in hostile operations. Security officials confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force downed three Rafale fighter jets, one MiG-29, one Su-30, and an Indian Heron drone as they attempted to strike targets within Pakistan using Indian airspace.
Security sources also reported the destruction of India’s Gufdaar post along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistani forces continue to repel Indian attacks along the LoC, forcing Indian troops into retreat, they added.
“India launched a cowardly attack on innocent civilians under the cover of darkness,” said security officials, emphasizing that Pakistan is exercising its right to self-defence and safeguarding its sovereignty against unprovoked aggression.
In further retaliation, Pakistani forces destroyed an Indian Army brigade headquarters. Sources confirmed that a missile strike targeted an enemy post in the Dadyal sector of the LoC, resulting in the destruction of the 12th Infantry Brigade headquarters, part of the Indian Army’s 9th Division under 15 Corps. Footage of the destroyed installation has since emerged, underscoring the scale of the response.
Pakistan has vowed to hold India fully accountable for its actions and continues to monitor the evolving situation with resolve and vigilance.
