Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said, in a statement that the Indian Air Force, while staying within Indian airspace, has violated Pakistan’s sovereignty by using standoff weapons, attacking civilian population across international border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, and across the Line of Control (LoC) in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

“India’s act of aggression has resulted in the martyrdom of civilians, including women and children. This act of aggression has also caused a grave threat to commercial air traffic,” he added.

India’s “cowardly action” was a blatant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms of inter-state relations, the FO spokesperson said.

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In the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident, the Indian leadership has once again used the bogey of terrorism to advance its sham narrative of victimhood, jeopardising regional peace and security, he stated.

“The situation continues to evolve. Pakistan reserves the right to respond appropriately at a time and place of its choosing, in accordance with the Article-51 of the UN Charter, and as enshrined in international law,” FO spokesperson said.

Shafqat Ali Khan warned that India’s reckless action has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict.