The ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan has entered a critical phase on since Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos in retaliation to India’s Operation Sindoor, in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 10, 2025. Pakistan targeted Indian military installations, including air bases in Udhampur and Pathankot, using drones and hypersonic missiles; in retaliation to India’s last night attacks on three Pakistani air bases.
As the conflict between India and Pakistan intensifies into what experts are also calling “the first drone war between nuclear-armed neighbors and a first-ever full-scale war,” civilian populations on both sides of the border face growing risks and challenges. The recent escalation has prompted unprecedented civil defense measures as governments scramble to protect citizens amid a hazardous new phase in the decade’s old rivalry.
The present conflict traces its immediate origins to the Pahalgam attack in Indian Occupied Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. Gunmen opened fire on tourists in the picturesque Baisaran Valley, killing 26 civilians, predominantly Hindu tourists. The attack triggered a diplomatic crisis with India suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and closing borders.
As the conflict escalates, Pakistan has implemented emergency civil defense measures. Local administrations in multiple cities have conducted mock civil defense drills at major commercial and residential buildings. These drills aim to prepare civilians for potential emergencies and familiarize them with evacuation procedures and safety protocols.
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Pakistan has also conducted blackout drills in border regions to reduce vulnerability to night attacks. These drills involve turning off all lights and electronic displays to minimize visibility from the air and prevent the possibility of becoming a target.
The Residents near the de-facto border in Kashmir have been advised to relocate to safer areas. The indiscriminate shelling by India has created panic among border residents who have been forced to take refuge in underground bunkers or shift to safer places within or outside their villages.
Furthermore, the conflict has fueled a surge in fake news and misinformation across online platforms, prompting authorities to urge citizens to verify information before sharing or acting on it. The Government of Pakistan is actively using official channels to disseminate accurate updates regarding the conflict and civil defense measures.
In this regard, media literacy must play an active role in civil preparedness, and equipping citizens with the skills to critically assess sources, identify misinformation, and rely on verified information in times of crisis.
The human cost of the conflict continues to rise. Cross-border artillery fire and drone strikes have claimed numerous civilian lives in Pakistan, with the latest reports confirming over 45 fatalities. Many more have sustained injuries, some of them critical. The psychological toll on border communities is severe, as residents live under constant threat of shelling and aerial attacks.
Pakistan Following International Standards for Civilian Preparedness During War
Pakistan operates within a well-established framework of international humanitarian law (IHL) designed to protect civilians during armed conflicts. These standards, rooted in the 1949 Geneva Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols, establish clear obligations for warring parties while outlining specific protections for non-combatants.
Core Principles of Civilian Protection
- Distinction Principle: Combatants must distinguish between military targets and civilians/civilian objects at all times. Indiscriminate attacks violating this principle constitute war crimes under Article 51 of Additional Protocol I.
- Prohibition of Starvation: IHL explicitly bans depriving civilians of food, water, or medical supplies as warfare tactics (Article 54, Additional Protocol I). This applies to siege warfare and economic blockades.
- Safe Zone Establishment: Parties may create hospital or safety zones for vulnerable groups (children, pregnant women, elderly) under Article 14 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Neutralized zones for civilians in combat areas require mutual agreements per Article 15.
Protections in Active Conflict Zones
- Drone Warfare Compliance: The use of unmanned systems must adhere to IHL’s proportionality and distinction requirements. Attacks causing excessive civilian harm relative to military advantage are prohibited.
- Critical Infrastructure Protection: Dams, power plants, and agricultural systems essential for survival cannot be targeted (Article 54, Additional Protocol I; Article 14, Additional Protocol II).
- Forced Displacement Restrictions: Civilians may only be evacuated for safety or imperative military reasons, with guarantees of return post-conflict (Article 17, Additional Protocol II).
State Obligations and Accountability
- Investigation Mandates: States must investigate alleged IHL violations and prosecute perpetrators under Articles 146-147 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
- Humanitarian Access: Parties must allow impartial relief operations for civilian populations, particularly in besieged areas (Article 70, Additional Protocol I).
- Direct Participation Caveat: Civilians lose protection only during active combat engagement, as defined by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Mere political support or non-combat roles do not qualify.
Recent UN Security Council reports highlight that 90% of conflict-related casualties now occur in urban areas, emphasizing the urgent need for strict adherence to international humanitarian protections. While both India and Pakistan are signatories to the Geneva Conventions, concerns have emerged over India’s violations, particularly regarding civilian targeting and displacement. In contrast, Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding these legal standards.
The conflict’s shift toward drone-dominated warfare presents emerging challenges in applying international humanitarian law (IHL), especially concerning the use of autonomous weapon systems and cyber warfare. As IHL continues to evolve to address these modern threats, the role of independent monitoring bodies, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), remains essential in ensuring accountability and compliance with established humanitarian norms.
Analysis and Future Outlook
The ongoing conflict has entered a highly volatile phase, characterized by the extensive use of drone technology alongside precision-guided surface-to-surface and air-to-surface missiles. These developments pose unprecedented challenges to both military operations and civilian protection. As one analyst observed, “This conflict marks a shift into an era of unmanned warfare, where drone surveillance and missile precision increasingly dictate the scope of escalation.”
Unlike previous confrontations, today’s technological warfare risks significant collateral damage, placing civilians at heightened risk especially in densely populated urban areas and vulnerable border communities. The evolving nature of hostilities has put civil preparedness systems under immense strain.
Despite these challenges, Pakistan has demonstrated a strong commitment to international standards of civilian protection. The government has taken proactive measures aligned with the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law, including the implementation of organized civil defense drills, establishment of emergency response mechanisms, and public awareness campaigns focused on safety, media literacy, and psychological resilience.
Efforts have also been made to avoid widespread panic. By utilizing official communication channels and promoting calm, the government is working to normalize civilian life to the greatest extent possible. In major cities, drills in residential and commercial areas have been conducted to strengthen preparedness without disrupting daily routines.
In border regions, guidance has been issued to ensure the safe relocation of vulnerable populations, while maintaining access to essential services such as food, water, and medical aid.
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The sustainability of these efforts remains a key concern should the conflict extend further. Border communities, in particular, require stronger infrastructure for early warning systems, reinforced shelters, and secure evacuation routes. However, Pakistan’s adherence to international legal frameworks including the prohibition of targeting civilian infrastructure and protecting displaced populations reflects a principled approach in the midst of crisis.
Looking ahead, the trajectory of this conflict will be shaped by international diplomacy, regional political pressures, and the ability of leadership to manage escalation risks responsibly. Pakistan’s position remains rooted in restraint, civilian protection, and legal accountability.
While diplomatic channels seek de-escalation, the resilience and preparedness of the Pakistani people and the state’s commitment to humanitarian norms will be essential in minimizing harm and ensuring collective security.
In conclusion, as Pakistan faces the grave realities of modern warfare, it continues to prioritize civil preparedness through a rights-based and lawful framework. Upholding the Geneva Conventions, supporting community resilience, and resisting panic are central to Pakistan’s strategy for safeguarding its population in these uncertain times.
Aroosa Salahuddin
Managing Editor at The Diplomatic Insight.
Aroosa has extensive experience in media, public relations, project management, and strategic communications. With an MPhil in Strategic Studies and a specialization in Pakistan’s digital diplomacy, Aroosa has worked with influential national and international organizations. Her expertise spans advocacy, crisis communication, digital strategy, and stakeholder engagement.
