Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to retaliate forcefully against Indian attacks, after eight civilians were killed in the Pakistani-administered side of Kashmir.
Sharif declared on Wednesday via a post on social media that "Pakistan has the absolute right to appropriately respond to this unprecedented Indian assault, and a response is on the way."
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar echoed this sentiment. "The armed forces are delivering a crushing response, precisely in line with the sentiment among the people. This nation will hold the enemy accountable for every drop of blood of its martyrs."
According to Pakistani intelligence, two Indian fighter jets have been shot down, though this information could not be independently verified.
In response, Pakistan has closed its airspace for 48 hours, with flights at Islamabad and Lahore airports suspended until further notice.
Schools in Punjab province are also closed, and a state of emergency has been declared.
On Tuesday night, eight civilians, including a child, were killed in Indian airstrikes on three locations in the Pakistani-administered region of the disputed Kashmir area.
Indian soldiers at the India-Pakistan border. Credit: Belga
New Delhi claims it targeted "terrorist infrastructures in Pakistan" from where "terrorist attacks against India are organised and directed."
Subsequently, the Indian military reported that the Pakistani army fired artillery at two locations in the Indian-administered area of Kashmir.
Tensions between the neighbouring countries have escalated following an attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where 25 Indian civilians and a Nepalese citizen were killed by pro-Pakistani separatists.
Pakistan denies any involvement and has warned of retaliation if India undertakes military action.
