51 Killed in Indian Strikes on AJK as Ceasefire Holds Amid Fragile Calm
At least 51 people — including 40 civilians and 11 military personnel — lost their lives in Indian cross-border attacks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), which Pakistan’s military has condemned as “unprovoked and reprehensible.”
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the deadly strikes occurred on the night of May 6 and 7, deliberately targeting residential areas. Among the civilian casualties were seven women and 15 children, with 121 others injured — including 10 women and 27 children. Eleven Pakistan armed forces personnel were also martyred, and 78 others wounded during the escalation.
The ISPR stated that the military launched a “precise and measured” retaliation. Names of the martyred personnel, from both air and ground forces, were publicly released, honoring their bravery and patriotism. “Their sacrifice will forever be remembered by the nation,” the statement read.
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Pakistan’s armed forces warned that any future challenge to national sovereignty would be met with a “swift, full-spectrum, and decisive response.”
The violence subsided after the United States brokered a ceasefire on May 10. High-level talks between Pakistan’s DGMO Maj Gen Kashif Abdullah and India’s Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai resulted in a fragile agreement to halt hostilities across land, air, and sea.
The flare-up followed a deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, IIOJK, which India blamed on Pakistan without evidence. In retaliation, India revoked visas, suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, and launched Operation Sindoor. Pakistan responded with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, claiming it downed five Indian jets and 77 drones.
Despite the ceasefire, sporadic skirmishes continue along the Line of Control, raising doubts about the truce’s durability. DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve and dismissed misinformation, stating India had requested the ceasefire after Pakistan’s effective response.
