The statement confirms that the country’s armed forces have been granted full authority to take retaliatory action.

Invoking Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the NSC emphasised that Pakistan is entitled to act in self-defense.

“Once again, in complete disregard for reason and responsibility, India has ignited flames of conflict in the region,” read the statement.

The statement noted that Pakistan had strongly defended its territorial integrity, including that of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

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In response to the Indian assault, five Indian fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were successfully shot down.

“Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time, place, and manner of its choosing,” the statement reiterated. The military has been given full discretion to take all necessary countermeasures.

According to the NSC, in the early hours between May 6 and 7, Indian armed forces carried out missile, air, and drone attacks targeting multiple locations

After midnight, loud explosions were heard in multiple cities, including Kotli, Bahawalpur, Muridke, Bagh and Muzaffarabad, reported state media.

Loud explosions were also reported in the mountainous region near Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, according to Reuters witnesses.