India targeting hydro-power structures ‘unacceptable and dangerous escalation’: DG ISPR

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has revealed that India has targeted the Nauseri Dam structure of the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project after launching “Operation Sindoor” in the early hours of Wednesday. The strikes have so far killed at least 26 people and injured 46.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Lt Gen Chaudhry described the attack on the hydropower facility as an “unacceptable and dangerous escalation.” He questioned India’s intent, asking: “Is India trying to damage the water of Pakistan’s people? Does it know the consequences and meaning of this? […] Do international norms and war laws allow you to target the water reservoirs, dams and hydropower structures?”

He further highlighted that during what he called India’s “cowardly act,” several national and international flights were airborne, putting thousands of lives at serious risk.

“At that time, there were 57 international flights operating inside Pakistan’s airspace,” he stated, adding that the consequences of any of those being hit “perhaps did not cross the minds of those who were undertaking this senseless aggression”

DG ISPR clarified that no Indian aircraft was allowed to enter Pakistan’s airspace, and none of Pakistan’s jets crossed into Indian airspace, adding that “At no time, any of their aircraft were allowed to enter into Pakistan’s airspace and also at no time, none of Pakistan’s aircraft went into Indian airspace.”

He further said, “Pakistan is responding fully to this Indian aggression and will keep responding…India’s misconceptions would be corrected,” noting, “We in the armed forces love and embrace martyrdom much and much more than we fear death.”

DG ISPR, while outlining Pakistan’s response to the India’s aggression, said that one jet each was shot down in the General Areas of Bhatinda, Jammu, Akhnoor, and Srinagar, while two were brought down in Avantipur. He added that the downed Indian aircraft included three Rafale jets, one MiG-29, one SU aircraft, and a Heron combat drone.

“The Pakistan Air Force brought these jets down when they attacked Pakistan, only after they released their weapons. They were engaged and shot at once they took on unprovoked and uncalled-for aggression against the state, the territorial integrity and innocent people of Pakistan by firing at them.

"It should also be noted that the Pakistan Armed Forces could have shot at even more than 10 of their aircraft, but we exercised restraint.”

Referring to the firing at the Line of Control (LoC), he said that shelling by the Indian Army had resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including a five-year-old child.

“Please keep in mind that India targeted mosques and making religious places target reflects the narrow thinking of [indian Prime Minister Narendra] Modi’s Hindutva government that suppresses and targets minorities, especially Muslims,” he concluded.