India strikes targets on Pakistan-controlled territory, at least 8 people die
Pakistani authorities said India fired missiles at multiple locations earlier on Wednesday at multiple locations, killing at least eight people, including children. India said it was an infrastructure used by militants.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Wednesday's air strikes and said: “The deceptive enemy carried out timid attacks at five locations in Pakistan” and his country will retaliate.
“Pakistan has the right to respond strongly to this act of war committed by India and has indeed received a strong response,” Sharif said.
He said his country and armed forces “are very familiar with how to deal with the enemy.”
The missiles hit Pakistan-managed Kashmir and locations in the country's eastern Punjab province.
Pakistan's military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif said India launched an attack at six different locations, killing eight people and injuring 38 people.
In Kashmir's disputed territory, deadly armed attacks on tourists have fueled the long-standing tensions between India and Pakistan, pushing them to the brink of war. CBC's South Asia correspondent Salimah Shivji breaks down why the attack raises concerns about wider conflict between the two nuclear powers.
The state-owned Pakistani TV station quoted security officials as saying that Pakistan's air force shot down two Indian jets, but provided no other details.
Pakistan's foreign ministry said Indian troops launched a strike while staying in Indian airspace. Other locations near Muridke in Punjab and Kotli in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir are all near Muridke.
It said the attack reportedly resulted in civilian casualties and posed a major threat to commercial air traffic.
“This reckless escalation brings the two nuclear-weapon states closer to major conflicts,” the statement said.
The strike was a tension between nuclear-weapon neighbors in armed attacks on tourists in parts of Kashmir-controlled in India. India accused Pakistan of supporting the radical attacks denied by Islamabad.
The Indian Ministry of Defense said at least nine locations were “places where terrorist attacks were planned on”.
“Our actions have been focused in nature. There are no military facilities targeting Pakistan,” the statement said. “India has shown considerable limitations in selecting goals and implementing methods.”
“We are committed to taking on the promises of those who have this attack,” the statement said.
Pakistani Prime Minister Sharif held a National Security Council meeting on Wednesday morning, according to the government announcement.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is very concerned about India's military operations in Pakistan and Pakistan's Axter Kashmir, and called for maximum restrictions on both countries, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in a statement late Tuesday.
The spokesman said: “The world cannot afford the military confrontation between India and Pakistan.”
Meanwhile, in Muzaffarabad city, resident Abdul Sammad said he heard several explosions and some were injured in the attack. Seeing residents running in panic, the authorities immediately cut their power.
Explosion ripped on the wall. Locals checked for damage to the house after the missile attack, and rubble and other debris rattled under their feet. People take shelter in the streets and open areas, worried about what to expect.
“We are worried that the next missile may hit our house,” Mohammad Ashraf said.
Pakistan-managed Kashmir Interior Minister Waqar Noor said authorities declared an emergency in the area.
Pakistan closed Pakistan-managed schools in Kashmir and Punjab provinces after the missile strike. It has closed the religious seminary in Kashmir, looking forward to the attacks in India.
