Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after India carried out airstrikes targeting nine suspected terrorist sites in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir around 1:45 AM on Wednesday.
India’s central government released a statement confirming the airstrikes in nine locations. Indian media claimed that over 100 people were killed, while international news outlets reported at least 35 deaths. However, Pakistan claimed that seven people, including two children, were killed. So far, there has been no official confirmation of the exact number of casualties.
This is the first time since the 1971 conflict that all three branches of the Indian military—Army, Navy, and Air Force—have jointly coordinated such an operation. Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan met with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi to discuss security matters.
Islamabad Schools Closed
In response to the strikes, all government and private schools and colleges in Islamabad have been shut down. However, the Pakistani government says scheduled exams will still take place.
Meanwhile, Pakistani forces have been continuously firing across the Line of Control (LoC) and the international border. In some areas of Jammu and Kashmir, six Indian civilians have been killed and 24 injured due to Pakistani shelling.
In Punjab, the Border Security Force (BSF) is on high alert and ready to respond to any activity from the Pakistani side.
Airspace Restrictions in Both Countries
Due to rising tensions, Pakistan has closed its airspace, and no flights are currently operating there. India has also suspended flights in areas close to the Pakistan border, canceling all operations at 11 airports in seven states. These include Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Chandigarh, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Rajkot, Dharamshala, Amritsar, Bhuj, and Jamnagar—all located near the Pakistan border.
