Pak PM Shehbaz calls India's missile strikes 'act of war', vows 'befitting reply'

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif today (7 May) described India's missile strikes targeting alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan's Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as an "act of war" and said his country has every right to give a "befitting reply."

The Indian armed forces confirmed launching missile strikes early today (7 May) in retaliation for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on 22 April. 

The strikes reportedly hit sites in PoK and Punjab from where terrorist operations against India were being directed, the Indian Army said.

Pakistan claims damages 

At a press briefing, Pakistan Army spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry stated that 24 impacts were recorded across six locations. He confirmed that at least eight people had been killed and 35 injured, reports The Hindu. 

Detailing the casualties, Lt Gen Chaudhry said five people, including a three-year-old girl, were killed in four strikes on Subhan mosque in Ahmedpur East, Bahawalpur. 

Thirty-one civilians were injured—25 men and six women. The mosque and nearby residential quarters were reportedly destroyed.

In Muzaffarabad, the Bilal mosque was hit by seven missiles. 

"There were seven impacts, in which one girl was injured and a mosque was destroyed," he said.

Kotli's Abbat mosque was also struck. 

"There were five impacts and two people died, including a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. A woman and her daughter are both injured," the army spokesman added.

In Muridke, Umalkura mosque was targeted with four strikes. 

"One man has been killed, while another is injured. Two people are missing," he said, noting economic damage suffered by local potters.

Additional strikes were reported in Kotki Lohara village in Sialkot district and near Shakargarh. 

"One missile misfired, while one fell in an open field. There was no damage," he said, adding, "Near Shakargarh, there were two strikes with no damage. There was minor damage to a dispensary."

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the strikes and said, "Pakistan has every right to give a befitting reply to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given. Our armed forces know very well how to deal with the enemy. We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives."

A meeting of Pakistan's National Security Council was scheduled for 10am today (7 May). 

In response to the escalation, Pakistan closed its airspace for all traffic for 48 hours.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called the strikes a "flagrant violation" of Pakistan's sovereignty, the UN Charter, and international law. 

"It has jeopardised regional peace," he said in a statement on X.

The Foreign Office issued a statement describing the strikes by the Indian Air Force—conducted from within Indian airspace—as an "unprovoked and blatant act of war".

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned of a robust response stating "We will respond with full force. We will pay off this debt in the manner such debt is paid."

He added that Pakistan's retaliation would be both diplomatic and kinetic, and it would not take long. 

"All places are open for the international media to verify if they targeted terrorists' camps or civilians," he said.

Lt Gen Chaudhry told ARY News that India had struck five locations in Kotli, Muzaffarabad, and Bagh in PoK, and Bahawalpur and Muridke in Punjab.

He accused India of deliberately avoiding Pakistani airspace. 

"All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India's airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan," he said.

"Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered," he warned.

"This temporary happiness that India has achieved with this attack will be replaced with enduring grief," the army spokesman added.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India had taken several measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, closing the Attari land border, and downgrading diplomatic relations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had granted the Indian armed forces "complete operational freedom" to choose the timing, targets, and mode of India's response to the terror attack.