In a significant escalation of tensions, India launched military strikes early Wednesday morning on targets in Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The action comes two weeks after a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam, located in Indian-controlled Kashmir.
According to Indian officials, nine locations were targeted in the pre-dawn operation, which they described as “terrorist infrastructure.” The Indian government claims the strikes were necessary to dismantle militant camps responsible for cross-border attacks.
The Pakistani military reported that the death toll from the Indian missile strikes and border firing has risen to 26. Among the dead are alleged militants and civilians caught in the crossfire.
A CGTN Stringer in Khoi Ratta, in Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir, documented extensive damage to civilian homes and properties. Footage from the area shows residents surveying the ruins of their neighborhoods, raising concerns about the impact on innocent civilians.
The strikes have intensified already strained relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Both countries have a long-standing dispute over the Kashmir region, which has been a flashpoint for conflict since their independence.
International observers are urging restraint from both sides to prevent further escalation. The exchange highlights the fragile peace in the region and the dire need for dialogue to resolve underlying issues.
