India launched a series of missile strikes into Pakistani-administered territory early Wednesday, killing at least 19 civilians and injuring 38 others, according to Pakistani officials. The Indian government claimed the strikes targeted militant infrastructure linked to last month’s deadly attack on tourists in Indian-controlled Kashmir — a claim Pakistan strongly denies. The sudden escalation marks one of the most serious flare-ups between the nuclear-armed neighbors in recent years.
The missiles, reportedly launched from within Indian territory, struck at least five locations across the Line of Control (LoC), including Muridke and Bahawalpur in Punjab province, and Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Among the most devastating impacts was on the Subhan Mosque in Bahawalpur, where 13 people — including a child — were killed during evening prayers, according to hospital sources and eyewitnesses. In total, six people were confirmed dead in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
India’s Ministry of Defense defended the strikes as “measured and non-escalatory,” stating that nine locations were targeted specifically for their links to militant groups allegedly responsible for the April 22 massacre that left 26 tourists dead in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
“Our actions have been focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted,” the Indian statement read. “India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution.”
Pakistani officials rejected India’s justification, accusing New Delhi of launching a “cowardly” attack that deliberately targeted civilians. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed the attacks and declared that Pakistan had launched retaliatory strikes, although details of the response remain limited.
“Pakistan has the right to fully respond to the Indian-imposed military action, and a befitting response is being given,” Sharif said. “The entire nation stands with the Pakistani armed forces.”
Local residents in Muzaffarabad described multiple explosions shortly after midnight, followed by a complete blackout. “We were just about to go to bed when a huge blast happened,” said Chaudhry Ghulam Rasool. “It was very big and terrifying.”
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing, the Indian missiles were air-launched, though no Indian aircraft crossed into Pakistani airspace. In a separate development, Pakistan’s state broadcaster claimed that its air force had shot down two Indian jets in retaliation — a claim that remains unconfirmed.
What Sparked the Crisis?
The missile strikes come just weeks after a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists. India swiftly blamed the attack on Pakistan-based militant groups, igniting a diplomatic and military standoff between the two countries. Islamabad denied any involvement and warned India against taking unilateral military action.
Tensions have continued to rise over the past week, with Pakistan accusing India of preparing for imminent strikes. Both countries have since expelled each other’s diplomats, suspended the use of mutual airspace, and halted cooperation under a longstanding water-sharing treaty.
Civilian Casualties and Collateral Damage
One of the most contentious outcomes of India’s operation has been the civilian death toll. In Bahawalpur alone, the strike on the mosque during prayer time resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including a child. Dr. Zohaib Ahmed, who treated the victims, confirmed the rising casualty figures and described scenes of chaos at the local hospital.
India, however, maintained that every effort was made to avoid civilian casualties. “We targeted only infrastructure used by terror networks. We do not engage in attacks on civilian facilities,” an Indian official told reporters under condition of anonymity.
Still, Pakistani officials remain unconvinced, asserting that the timing and method of the attacks were intended to inflict maximum civilian harm under the cover of darkness.
“This was a cowardly attack targeting innocent civilians under the cover of darkness,” a Pakistani military spokesperson told ARY News.
International Reaction and Diplomatic Fallout
Speaking from the Oval Office, U.S. President Donald Trump reacted with caution. “We just heard about it… They’ve been fighting for a long time. I just hope it ends very quickly,” he said. The U.S. State Department issued a brief statement acknowledging awareness of the situation but refrained from offering a formal assessment, calling it “an evolving situation.”
India’s actions, while carefully framed as counterterrorism operations, have drawn scrutiny from international observers concerned about the potential for broader regional instability. The fact that both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons only adds to global anxieties.
What’s Next?
While both sides claim they do not want full-scale war, the back-and-forth strikes, diplomatic breakdowns, and public rhetoric suggest otherwise. As of now, both countries have scaled back bilateral communication, and it remains unclear whether third-party mediation — often provided in the past by the U.S. or China — will materialize.
For civilians on both sides of the LoC, the fear of further escalation is palpable. Air raid sirens, closed schools, and heightened military patrols are now part of daily life in many border towns.
As the situation remains volatile, international pressure may be key to pulling both sides back from the brink. However, with no official ceasefire announced and rhetoric hardening on both ends, the road to de-escalation remains uncertain.
Key Points:
- India launched missile strikes into Pakistani territory, killing at least 19 civilians.
- India claims the strikes targeted terrorist infrastructure linked to a recent attack in Kashmir.
- Pakistan condemned the attacks as “cowardly” and confirmed retaliatory actions.
- Tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors are at their highest in years.
- U.S. and international observers are closely monitoring the evolving crisis.
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