Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday authorized the country’s armed forces to respond to recent Indian military strikes, citing a “blatant violation” of Pakistan’s sovereignty and the loss of innocent lives.
In a strongly worded statement released after the NSC meeting, the government said: “In consonance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defense, at a time, place, and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty.”
The NSC, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, reviewed the escalating tensions following India’s cross-border operation and greenlit “corresponding actions” by Pakistan’s military.
“The Armed Forces of Pakistan have duly been authorized to undertake corresponding actions in this regard,” the statement added.
The decision signals a sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors after India claimed to have targeted what it called “terrorist infrastructure” inside Pakistani territory.
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