Pakistan Responds Strongly to Indian Aggression; Neelum-Jhelum Dam Damaged, Indian Jets Downed, Economic Fallout Begins

ISLAMABAD / MUZAFFARABAD:India’s missile attack on the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project — specifically the Noseri Dam — has drawn severe condemnation from Pakistan, with DG ISPR Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry warning of “serious consequences” for India’s water aggression.**

In a strongly worded press briefing, the military spokesperson said that India’s attempt to target **Pakistan’s critical water infrastructure** is a grave violation of **international and wartime conventions**. “India’s misconception will be corrected,” he said, confirming structural damage to the dam.

He added that during India’s unprovoked, **midnight aerial and missile assault on May 6–7**, Indian forces struck **six Pakistani cities**, resulting in **26 civilian deaths** and **46 injuries**. The targets included **mosques, schools, madrasas, and hospitals** — areas previously verified as civilian by both **local and foreign media** during visits.

Pakistan responded forcefully:

* **Five Indian aircraft were shot down**, including **3 Rafale jets, 1 MiG-29, and 1 Su-30** over **Bhatinda, Akhnoor, and Awantipora**.
* A **Heron drone** was downed in **Barnala sector**.
* Pakistan Air Force destroyed a **brigade HQ** and **Mahaar Battalion HQ** across **Leepa Valley**.
* Indian posts at **Sarliya-1 (Kotli)** and **Dudhnial sector** were obliterated.

**Key Civilian Casualties:**

* **Masjid Subhan Allah (Ahmedpur)**: 3 girls among multiple injured.
* **Masjid Abbas (Kotli)**: 16-year-old girl and 18-year-old boy martyred; mother and sister injured.
* **Masjid in Muridke**: 3 men martyred, 1 injured.
* **LoC shelling**: 5 civilians martyred, including a 5-year-old child.
* **Bilal Mosque (Muzaffarabad)** and **Shiwai area**: Mosques destroyed, one child injured.

Major General Ahmed Sharif called the targeting of mosques and water infrastructure a reflection of the **Hindutva ideology** under Modi’s government. “India is deliberately targeting minorities and vital lifelines,” he added.

**Economic and Aviation Fallout:**

* **Bloomberg** reported fears of **Indian rupee depreciation** and a **stock market plunge** due to rising war tensions.
* **Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)** saw a historic drop of **6,500 points**, slightly recovering to trade **5,016 points lower**.
* **Northern India’s airports** (e.g., Jammu, Srinagar, Bikaner) suspended operations.
* **Islamabad’s airspace was closed**, and three flights rerouted.
* **Karachi and Lahore** airspace was **reopened** after temporary closure; CAA advises passengers to consult airlines for updated routes.

This latest escalation comes shortly after a deadly incident in **Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir**, where 26 people died. India blamed Pakistan and announced **unilateral withdrawal from the Indus Waters Treaty**.

DG ISPR concluded with a firm message:
“Pakistan did not provoke this conflict — but we will **defend every inch of our soil** and the blood of **every innocent citizen**. The enemy will be made to regret its cowardly aggression.”

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