India launched missile strikes early Wednesday on multiple targets within Pakistan-administered areas, killing at least 26 people, including a child. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the action as an “act of war.”
Indian officials say the strikes targeted infrastructure used by militants allegedly responsible for last month’s deadly attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
In response, Pakistan claimed it shot down several Indian fighter jets, with two crashing into villages within Indian-controlled Kashmir. Indian police and medical personnel reported at least seven civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling in the region.
Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors have escalated sharply following the Kashmir massacre, which left 26 people—mostly Indian Hindus—dead. India blames Pakistan for supporting the attackers, a charge Islamabad strongly denies.
Key Developments:
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Missile Strikes: Six sites were hit in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province. Pakistan’s military said the attacks killed women and children. India said it struck nine sites linked to planned terrorist operations.
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Pakistan’s Response: Prime Minister Sharif declared that Pakistan would deliver a “robust” response. Meanwhile, artillery fire was reported along the de facto border at Bhimber Gali in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
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Diplomatic Fallout: In the wake of the massacre, both nations expelled diplomats, sealed their borders, and closed their airspace to one another.
