India launched missiles into Pakistan-controlled areas on Wednesday morning, resulting in at least eight deaths, including children, actions that Pakistani leaders described as warfare.
India says it has targeted target facilities used by extremists in connection with the recent massacre of tourists in the Indian-controlled region of Kashmir.
According to a statement from the Indian Army, at least three civilians have been killed in India-controlled Kashmir due to artillery fire.
Following last week’s attacks in Pahargam, relations between nuclear-enabled neighbours have deteriorated significantly, with India killing 26 people due to support from Pakistan.
Islamabad has rebutted these claims. Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif condemned the airstrikes that took place on Wednesday, accusing them of coronavirus attacks by dangerous enemies, claiming his country would respond accordingly.
“Pakistan has every right to respond robustly to this act of war imposed by India and has indeed been given a strong response,” Sharif said.
Sharif has discussed the attack and formulated a Pakistan response in sought an emergency session of the National Security Committee scheduled for Wednesday morning.
UN spokesman Stephen Dujaric said in a statement late Tuesday that Secretary-General Antonio Guterres “is very concerned about India’s military operations across control and border lines,” calling for the biggest military detention from both countries.
“The world cannot afford to buy military conflict between India and Pakistan,” the statement read.
According to a Pakistani Army spokesperson, the missiles attacked six sites in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and eastern Punjab province, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 30 others.
One missile struck a mosque in Bahawalpur, Punjab, killing a child in shock. Other missiles target areas near Malidke in Punjab and Kotori in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
Pakistan-controlled Kashmir officials have announced the emergency at hospitals in the area.
Kashmir and Punjab school classes were also cancelled after being attacked. Kashmir seminaries were closed early in preparation for potential attacks by India.
The Indian Ministry of Defense reported that at least nine locations were targeted if a plan for a terrorist attack against India was said to have been devised.
“Our actions are essentially focused, measured and non-escalator. Pakistan’s military facilities are not targeted,” the statement said, adding that “India has shown considerable restraint in the selection of targets and the choice of execution methods.”
The Army said the operation was named “Sindoor.” Hindi is a bright red Vermillion powder word worn by a married woman on her forehead and hair, referring to a woman who saw her husband being killed in front of them.
Pakistan retaliates
Indian forces reported that three civilians had lost their lives due to indiscriminate dismissal by Pakistani forces. This included both gunfights and artillery fire, both slashing and artillery fire that crossed the line of control.
The Army added that it is taking measures proportionately. Following India’s military action, it was hit by an aircraft on the outskirts of a major Indian-controlled city of Kashmir, as confirmed by local police and residents.
Citing the state-run Pakistani senior television security guard, the US Air Force reported that it defeated five Indian aircraft accordingly, but details have not been revealed.
India has not yet responded to Pakistan’s claims. Islamabad’s foreign ministry claimed that Indian forces launched an attack from within their airspace.
Additional sources •AP
