Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, strongly condemned Pakistan’s retaliation following India’s missile strikes on terror infrastructure, accusing Islamabad of deliberately targeting civilian areas in the Union Territory. Speaking to PTI Videos after a high-level security review meeting, Abdullah stated, “Pakistan has gone out of its way to target the civilian population. We are monitoring the situation closely and responding as it unfolds.”

The remarks came amid heightened tensions following Operation Sindoor, India’s targeted military response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians. Abdullah defended India's action, emphasizing that the Indian armed forces took significant measures to avoid civilian or military casualties on Pakistani soil. “India has responded appropriately and proportionately, focusing solely on terror bases. No civilian or military targets were hit deliberately,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister chaired a comprehensive meeting to assess the Union Territory’s preparedness along the Line of Control (LoC) and border areas. He later shared on social media, “Held a meeting to assess the security and preparedness along the border/LoC areas. Emphasis laid on safeguarding civilian lives, strengthening infrastructure, and ensuring swift response to any emerging challenges.”

The meeting was attended by key officials including Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, and Divisional Commissioner Kashmir V.K. Bhiduri, while Jammu-based officers joined via video conference. The review came against the backdrop of Pakistan's reported shelling of civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir, an act viewed by Indian officials as a retaliatory but indiscriminate escalation following India's precision strikes.