India fired missiles across the border into Pakistani-controlled territory in at least three locations early Wednesday, killing at least one child and wounding two other people, Pakistani security officials said. India said it was striking infrastructure used by militants.
It comes at a time of heightened tensions between the two neighbouring nations following a militant assault in Pahalgam, in the Indian-administered areas of the disputed Kashmir region last month, killing 26 people.
India’s Defence Ministry said in a statement Wednesday that at least nine sites were targeted “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned.”
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted,” the statement said, adding that “India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian army posted a cryptic message saying “Justice is served” along with “long live India”. Attached to the post was a photo with the phrase “Operation Sindoor” captioned.
In an attempt not to provoke Islamabad, New Delhi insisted that it was not targeting any Pakistani military installations.
As a result of the latest developments, flights that have not yet taken off have been postponed, according to a spokesman for Pakistani Airlines.
Islamabad had launched retaliatory strikes, without providing any details. State-run Pakistan Television, quoting security officials, said Pakistan’s air force shot down two Indian jets but provided no additional details.
Pakistani army spokesman, Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, told ARY News that the missiles were launched from within Indian territory and that no Indian aircraft had entered Pakistani airspace.
“This was a cowardly attack targeting innocent civilians under the cover of darkness,” Sharif told the broadcaster.
Our journalists are working on this story and will update it as soon as more information becomes available.
Additional sources • AP