In a significant escalation of tensions, India launched missile strikes into Pakistani-controlled territory on Wednesday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least 31 individuals, including a child. This operation has been characterized by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, as an “act of war.” The Indian government has stated that the strikes targeted infrastructure purportedly linked to militants responsible for last month’s attack in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 people, primarily Indian Hindu tourists.
Retaliatory actions and rising casualties
In response to the missile strikes, Pakistan reported that its air force successfully shot down several Indian fighter jets, with three aircraft reportedly crashing in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Additionally, Indian police and medical sources confirmed that at least seven civilians were killed due to retaliatory shelling from Pakistan.
The current skirmishes have intensified the already fraught relationship between the two nuclear-armed nations, particularly following the deadly attack in April, which has been attributed by India to Pakistani-backed militants. The Indian army designated the operation as “Sindoor,” a term that symbolizes the suffering of women who lost their husbands in the recent attacks.
“Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given,”
Sharif exclaimed, condemning the airstrikes. Following the military actions, Pakistan convened an emergency meeting of its National Security Committee and summoned India’s charge d’affaires to formally protest the incursion.
Civil defense measures and political sentiments
In light of the escalating circumstances, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a special Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, as reports indicated a rising death toll on the Indian side, which included ten fatalities. Moreover, several Indian states are preparing for civil defense drills to ensure readiness for any potential hostile actions, a rare practice outside of crisis situations.
Political leaders within India have rallied around the military’s actions. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh proclaimed, “Victory to Mother India” on social media, while the opposition Congress party expressed pride in the bravery of the Indian armed forces, emphasizing the need for national unity in these challenging times.
The missile strikes reportedly hit six locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and the eastern Punjab province, leading to significant casualties and damage. Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s military, detailed that the attacks resulted in 31 fatalities and injured an additional 38 individuals.
Among the targeted sites was the Subhan Mosque in Bahawalpur, where 13 individuals were killed, including a child. This particular mosque is close to a seminary previously associated with the militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed. Another strike occurred at a mosque in Muridke, which was reportedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba before its ban in 2013.
In Muzaffarabad, the primary city in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, local residents reported scenes of panic and destruction as the explosions rattled homes. “We were afraid the next missile might hit our house,” recounted resident Mohammad Ashraf, highlighting the pervasive fear among civilians.
On the Indian side of the Line of Control, heavy exchanges of fire have been reported, with Indian authorities confirming that shelling from Pakistan resulted in the deaths of seven civilians and injuries to at least 30 others in Poonch district. Many homes have been damaged as the situation continues to unfold.
In the aftermath of the strikes, debris from shot-down Indian aircraft littered several villages, with responders struggling to manage the resulting fires. One resident described the chaos: “There was a huge fire in the sky. Then we heard several blasts.” Both nations remain on high alert as the situation develops, raising concerns about further military confrontation in the region.