Islamabad Responds to Escalation with India: 31 Dead, UN Calls for Restraint

Islamabad is reeling from recent Indian strikes, which resulted in 31 civilian deaths and 57 injuries. Amid rising India-Pakistan tension, Pakistan has accused India of escalating hostilities with ceasefire violations across the Line of Control (LoC), calling the actions “terrorism. The military claims to have downed five Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, while India acknowledged three aircraft crashes in its territory.

The attacks targeted multiple locations, including Ahmedpur East, Muridke, and Sialkot in Punjab, and Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Azad Kashmir. Pakistani authorities reported significant damage to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, with the intake gates and hydraulic units being destroyed. Pakistan’s military spokesperson emphasized that such strikes violate the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit attacks on vital civilian infrastructure.

International Efforts to De-escalate the Crisis

In a bid to de-escalate the situation, U.S. President Donald Trump urged both nations to cease hostilities, offering his mediation services. He expressed his desire to see peace restored, stating, “I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that the national security advisers (NSAs) of both countries had been in contact. Despite the violent exchanges, diplomatic channels remain open. The UN also emphasized the need for maximum restraint, warning that the world could not afford a conflict between these nuclear-armed nations.

The Pakistani military has touted the downing of five Indian jets as a major victory, though India has only confirmed the crash of three planes. Amid ongoing artillery exchanges, the situation remains volatile, with preventive measures being taken across Azad Kashmir. Authorities have set up a Central Emergency Response Centre to coordinate relief efforts and assess the damage.

As the conflict intensifies, the international community, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has expressed solidarity with Pakistan, urging calm and restraint. The India-Pakistan tension remains high, with both sides continuing to trade fire along the LoC. The focus now shifts to whether diplomatic efforts can reduce the tension.