Operation Sindoor: 11 soldiers, 40 civilians killed in Indian strikes, discloses Pakistan's ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military on Tuesday said 11 soldiers and 40 civilians were killed and 199 others including army and air force personnel injured in last week’s Indian strikes. Pakistan army’s media arm Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) released the names and pictures of the soldiers who died, including a squadron leader.

ISPR said in a statement that the civilian casualties included seven women and 15 children. The injured included 78 soldiers and 121 civilians, the statement said.

ISPR said Pakistan Air Force personnel who were killed included squadron leader Usman Yousuf, chief technician Aurangzeb, senior technician Najeeb, corporal technician Farooq and senior technician Mubashir. However, ISPR did not disclose how they died. ISPR’s disclosure comes two days after Pakistan military admitted that at least one of its aircraft suffered ‘minor damage’ in military confrontation with India.

Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari and PM Shehbaz Sharif paid tributes to the soldiers killed during India’s Operation Sindoor, calling them “the brave sons” of Pakistan army and Pakistan Air Force. In a statement, Zardari said: “We are proud of the sacrifices of our martyrs. Our brave forces have successfully defended the nation and the country’s integrity.”

ISPR said Pakistan army had launched ‘Operation Bunyanum Marsoos’, which was part of ‘Marka-e-Haq (battle of truth)’ that began after the Indian strikes inside Pakistan. PM Sharif expressed condolences to the families of those killed in ‘Marka-e-Haq’.

Meanwhile, a day after PM Narendra Modi made it clear that Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) cannot be delinked from action against terrorists by clearly emphasising that “water and blood cannot flow together”, Pakistan’s foreign minister Ishaq Dar said Tuesday the pause in hostilities between the two countries could be threatened “if the water issue is not resolved”.

The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to stand by the arrangement over pause in hostilities, saying it was "taking necessary steps towards de-escalation and regional stability". The FO also said that Pakistan will take all necessary measures to preserve its rights under IWT.

(With agency inputs)