Morning Brief: 15 Civilians, 1 Soldier Killed In Pakistan's Shelling; Satellite Images Confirm India’s Clean Hit On Terror Hubs; Rawalpindi Screams Retaliation; And More

15 Civilians, 1 Soldier Killed In Pakistan's Shelling

A day of intense cross-border shelling by Pakistan ended with the death of Indian Army soldier Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, as confirmed by the Indian Army late on May 7. The shelling, following Indian strikes on terrorist infrastructure, also resulted in the deaths of at least 15 civilians and injuries to 46 more, particularly in the Poonch sector.

Heavy artillery exchanges were reported along the Line of Control in areas including Krishna Ghati, Shahpur, and Mankote in Poonch, and Laam and Manjakote in Rajouri. In north Kashmir, artillery fire reached as far as Gingal village in Baramulla, injuring 11 people and damaging multiple homes. Residents in border areas sought refuge in bunkers, marking this as the worst shelling incident since the 2021 ceasefire renewal.

Satellite images released a day after India’s precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK confirm direct hits on key targets.

Released by Maxar Technologies, the image show significant damage at terror hubs in Bahawalpur and Muridke. Notably, an Indian missile struck the dome of the Subham Allah mosque in Bahawalpur, a known Jaish-e-Mohammed stronghold.

Earlier, India had released footage confirming that all the strikes were executed with pinpoint precision.

Pakistan Vows Retaliation

Pakistan's National Security Committee, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, condemned India's May 7 strikes across the LoC and international boundary as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and authorised a military response.

In a charged address, Sharif vowed to avenge the deaths of dozens of Pakistani killed in the strikes. The Pakistani government claimed its armed forces responded by downing five Indian fighter jets and drones, though no evidence was provided and India has not confirmed the claims.

Pakistan also accused India of targeting civilian infrastructure, including mosques and the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project, and endangering commercial flights. Citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, Islamabad asserted its right to retaliate at a time and manner of its choosing.

Following India’s military strikes on nine terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir in response to the Pahalgam attack, US President Donald Trump asked both countries to end the escalating conflict. Calling the situation “terrible,” Trump emphasized his good relations with both India and Pakistan and expressed a desire to see the clashes stop.

He stated that the countries had gone “tit-for-tat” and hoped they could de-escalate now. Trump also offered to mediate if needed, saying he would be willing to help stop the violence. The tensions erupted after a terrorist attack in Pahalgam killed 26 people, prompting India to launch Operation Sindoor following weeks of diplomatic efforts.

Pakistan Claims 31 'Civilians' Killed in Indian Strike

Pakistan's military on Wednesday claimed that 31 civilians were killed and 57 injured in what it called "unprovoked" Indian strikes across multiple locations in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Director General ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry accused India of deliberately targeting civilian areas, including mosques and the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Project, in violation of international humanitarian law.

He alleged India was engaging in direct acts of aggression after failing to achieve its goals through proxy elements. Pakistan claimed it responded by shooting down five Indian jets and striking military targets along the Line of Control.