Pakistan committed several specific violations of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) during its
Retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor

Deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian areas: Pakistan’s artillery shelling deliberately
struck residential neighbours, local markets, schools, and religious sites (including Hindu
religious sites and a gurudwara). Critical public infrastructure along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir has caused civilian deaths and injuries.

This constitutes a direct violation of the principle of distinction under IHL, which requires parties to distinguish
between combatants and civilians. And prohibits attacks on civilian populations and
objects.

Indiscriminate attacks: The attacks were described as indiscriminate, failing to differentiate
between military targets and civilians, thereby violating the principle of proportionality. And
The prohibition against indiscriminate attacks under customary international law and
Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions.

Causing unnecessary suffering and terrorising civilians: The shelling was characterised
as a deliberate strategy to make civilians fearful. And punish civilian populations rather than targeting
legitimate military objectives, violating the protections afforded by the Fourth Geneva Convention
Convention (1949) that explicitly forbids acts intended to terrorise civilians.

Violation of ceasefire agreements and escalation of conflict: Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes
escalated hostilities by attacking civilian areas instead of addressing terrorism concerns,
further breaching international norms governing conduct during armed conflict.

These actions collectively amount to war crimes under international law. They involve
Intentional attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure without military justification.
Violating core IHL principles designed to protect non-combatants during armed conflicts

Reference

1. https://www.eurasiareview.com/08052025-beyond-ceasefire-violations-pakistans-shelling-of-civiliansis-a-crime-against-humanity-oped/
2. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/operation-sindoor-understanding-context-and-consequences
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_India–Pakistan_conflict
   . https://www.livelaw.in/videos/explained-how-pakistans-retaliation-to-operation-sindoor-violates-intern
   ational-humanitarian-law-291963
4. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-pakistan-ceasefire-explained-reason-behind-op-sindoor-topak-they-threatened-with-revenge-india-2723330-2025-05-12

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