Pakistan Confirms Indian Missile Strikes, Vows Retaliation
Pakistan has officially confirmed that India carried out missile strikes on its territory as part of Operation Sindoor, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. According to the Pakistani government, the attacks resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians, including a child, and left twelve others injured.
“India’s aggression has crossed all bounds. Pakistan reserves the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.”
The Indian missile strikes reportedly targeted areas in Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab province. These sites are believed to house key infrastructure of terrorist outfits including Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Indian authorities have described the operation as a limited, preemptive counter-terror action, carried out in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives last month.
Pakistan Vows a Strong Response
In response to the missile strikes, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee. Senior military and intelligence officials termed the attack an “act of war” and signaled that a counter-offensive is being planned. The Pakistani Army also claimed it shot down multiple Indian fighter jets, though these claims remain unverified.
Meanwhile, security has been ramped up along Pakistan’s eastern border, and air defense systems have been activated across key locations. Civilian air traffic over several regions has been diverted or suspended in anticipation of further developments.
Global Reactions and the Path Ahead
The international community has reacted with concern to the unfolding situation. Global powers and the United Nations have urged both India and Pakistan to refrain from further hostilities and engage in diplomatic dialogue. Warnings have also been issued over the dangers of escalation between two nations with nuclear capabilities.
Back in India, defense officials reiterated that the strikes were focused solely on eliminating terror threats and avoiding military targets or civilian casualties wherever possible. The Indian government has maintained that any response from Pakistan will be met with full preparedness.
