India-Pakistan crisis: current updates

India has conducted what it refers to as “precision strikes” inside Pakistan and in Kashmir, just days after Pakistan condemned an attack on its territory that resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals.

The missile strike occurred overnight, killing 26 people, including children, and injuring 46, according to reports from the Pakistani military.

The Indian government stated that nine non-military targets were struck during what it called “Operation Third Door.” India claims these sites were associated with “terrorist infrastructure” linked to recent attacks by Islamic extremists in Kashmir. Pakistan disputed this, asserting that its targets are not linked to such activities.

New Delhi characterized its actions as “focused, measured, and non-escalating.” Officials claimed it demonstrated a “substantial suppression in target selection and implementation methods.” The Indian military mentioned that “justice is provided” in a video shared online.

Gunfire erupted along the de facto border in Kashmir, with local police and witnesses reporting heavy exchanges. Indian police and medical sources indicated that at least seven civilians died and 30 others were injured due to Pakistani gunfire.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif condemned the strikes, labeling them “deceitful attacks” and asserted that his country would respond. “Pakistan has every right to respond robustly to this act of war imposed by India,” he stated.

On Wednesday morning, Sharif convened a meeting of the National Security Committee and emphasized that Pakistan’s forces are well-prepared to deal with any aggression. “We will never allow the enemy to succeed,” he asserted.

Pakistan claimed that five Indian Air Force jets were shot down, although India has not confirmed this. However, local sources in Indian-administered Kashmir reported that three fighters crashed in different areas during the night.

The United Nations has urged both India and Pakistan to exercise maximum restraint. A spokesperson indicated that Secretary-General António Guterres is very concerned about military actions in the border areas, emphasizing that the world cannot risk military conflict between these two nations.

This situation marks a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between these nuclear-armed neighbors. Relations between India and Pakistan have deteriorated following the recent killing of 26 primarily Hindu civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The exchange of fire intensified two days after the earlier attack. Exchanges have reportedly been consistent, occurring nightly since April 24 along the de facto border of Kashmir.

Both nations have also initiated punitive diplomatic measures, which include the cancellation of visas for each other’s citizens.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that water supplies would be halted to neighboring countries, including Pakistan, shortly after suspending a major water treaty with Islamabad.