India confirmed on Tuesday night that it has carried out missile strikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, citing retaliation for the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in India-administered Kashmir last month.
In a released statement, the Indian government announced the launch of “Operation Sindoor”, which it said targeted “terrorist infrastructure” located in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. A total of nine sites were struck, according to the statement.
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted,” the Indian government said, adding that the operation was conducted with “considerable restraint” in both the selection of targets and the method of execution.
The strike comes after a deadly attack in Kashmir in which several tourists were killed, an incident India blames on terrorist groups operating with support from across the border. Pakistan denies any involvement in the incident or in supporting cross-border militancy.
Pakistan swiftly condemned the strikes. A spokesperson for the country’s military labelled the action a “shameful and cowardly attack”, adding that it was carried out from within Indian airspace. “All of our air force jets are airborne. We will respond to this at a time and place of our choosing,” the spokesperson warned.
Earlier, Pakistani state television reported that Indian forces had used missiles to strike the various locations, with intense shelling and loud explosions also reported in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Reuters confirmed shelling activity along the border areas.
Relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have deteriorated in recent weeks following the Kashmir attack, with both sides accusing the other of provocations and violations.
This is a developing story.
