Pakistan vows response to civilian deaths in Indian strikes

In this handout photograph taken on May 7, 2025 and released by the Prime Minister Office, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses...

In this handout photograph taken on May 7, 2025 and released by the Prime Minister Office, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses a special session at the National Assembly in Islamabad. (Photo by AFP)

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned India's deadly attacks, saying Islamabad will retaliate for “every drop of blood” spilled in the raids.

He made the remarks during a televised speech late on Wednesday, after at least 31 civilians were killed and 46 others injured in the Indian airstrikes and ensuing border shelling in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Sharif warned that New Delhi will have to "pay the price" for its "grave mistake," adding, “We make this pledge, that we will avenge each drop of the blood of these martyrs.”

He further hailed the Pakistani military after it announced the downing of five Indian Air Force jets and one drone in “self-defense."

“This is the cowardly enemy that targets unarmed civilians and believes itself stronger. But we proved ... that Pakistan knows how to deliver a befitting response in its defense. The nation salutes the bravery and strength of our armed forces,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the Indian Defense Ministry said its strikes targeted what it called "terrorist infrastructure" to hold "accountable" those responsible for the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 25 Indians and one Nepali national dead.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri described his country's strikes as "measured, non-escalatory, proportionate and responsible,” saying they focused on disabling militants that officials said might be sent across to India.

Sharif, however, emphasized that the Pahalgam attack "wasn't related" to Pakistan, and that Islamabad was "accused for the wrong" reasons.

He further said that Pakistan had offered to investigate the incident, a proposal India ignored.

Additionally, on Wednesday, Pakistan's National Security Committee authorized the armed forces of the country to undertake corresponding actions in response to the Indian airstrikes.

India’s act of aggression posed a grave risk to commercial airlines belonging to Persian Gulf countries, endangering the lives of thousands of on-board passengers, the Committee pointed out.

After India's attack, several airlines have announced they were re-routing or cancelling flights to and from India and Pakistan.

Muslim-majority Kashmir has been a flashpoint in India-Pakistan relations since both countries gained independence from Britain in 1947. The two neighbors claim the Himalayan region in full, but each controls only a part of it.