Pakistan confirms 11 soldiers, 40 civilians killed in India strikes

Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday confirmed that 11 military personnel and 40 civilians were killed during the recent four-day military confrontation with India, which saw a series of cross-border drone and missile strikes earlier this month.

In a statement, the Pakistan Armed Forces reported that 78 military personnel were injured, along with 121 civilians, in what it described as “unprovoked and reprehensible dastardly attacks” by India on the night of 6–7 May.

The military listed the names of several personnel from both the Pakistan Air Force and Army who died in the strikes. These included Squadron Leader Usman Yousuf, Chief Technician Aurangzeb, Senior Technician Najeeb, Corporal Technician Farooq, and Senior Technician Mubashir. From the Army, Naik Abdul Rehman, Lance Naik Dilawar Khan, Lance Naik Ikramullah, Naik Waqar Khalid, Sepoy Muhammad Adeel Akbar, and Sepoy Nisar were named among the dead.

In response to the Indian strikes, Pakistan launched what it called a “resolute response” under the banner of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, as part of its wider counter-operation, Marka-e-Haq. The military claimed these retributive strikes were "precise and notch-up", aiming to deter further aggression.

Pakistan’s military, in its statement, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers and civilians, declaring: “Let there be no ambiguity: any attempt to challenge Pakistan's sovereignty or territorial integrity, ever again, shall be met with a swift, full-spectrum, and decisive response.”

The conflict, which erupted following India’s Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure across the border, de-escalated on Saturday after both nations reached a mutual understanding to halt further hostilities. However, tensions remain high along the Line of Control and international border, with both sides maintaining heightened military alertness.