ISLAMABAD – Pakistan is all set to observe the first anniversary of the May 9, 2025 Indian attacks, remembering the 31 Pakistanis martyred during cross-border strikes and shelling, more than half of whom were women and children.
The attacks targeted several civilian areas in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, leaving dozens of families devastated.
Survivors and relatives of the victims recalled the pain and destruction caused by the escalation, describing it as one of the deadliest episodes for civilians in recent years.
Among the most tragic incidents was the strike on a mosque in Bahawalpur, where India had claimed to target militants.
However, women, children and entire families lost their lives in the attack. Family members of Maulana Masood Azhar, including his elder sister, as well as the family of Maulana Kashf and four grandchildren of Mufti Abdul Rauf, were among those martyred.
Seven-year-old Irtaza Abbas Turi, son of Lieutenant Colonel Zaheer Abbas Turi, was also martyred in Dawarandi, Azad Jammu and Kashmir. His funeral in Islamabad was attended by top civil and military leadership, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari and Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir.
In Bagh sector, newlywed Usama Esharat and his university-going sister were martyred in Indian shelling just days after Usama’s marriage, leaving behind a grieving bride and family members.
Another painful incident occurred in Jalalpur Subttian in Gujarat, where an Indian drone strike killed 45-year-old Nisar and his two sons, Naeem and Habib, after their home collapsed in the attack.
Heavy shelling in Bhimber and Barnala sectors also claimed the lives of several civilians, including children and elderly residents. Mehdi Hussain lost two sons, Haroon Hussain and Irtizi Hussain, while two other sons were critically injured.
Pakistan had also accused India of endangering civilian aviation during the attacks, stating that 57 passenger flights were present in Pakistani airspace at the time. Several mosques and civilian infrastructure, including the Neelum-Jhelum hydropower project, were also damaged.
On the first anniversary, families of the martyrs, political leaders and citizens paid tribute to those who lost their lives, while reiterating calls for protection of civilians and regional peace.
