What could lie ahead for hostile nuclear rivals India and Pakistan?

Pakistan has denounced Indian missile strikes as an act of war after more than two dozen people, including children, were killed. Riazat Butt looks at soaring tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours

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INDIA has launched missiles into Pakistani territory in retaliation for a gun massacre of tourists in April.

Pakistan's leader condemned the strikes and vowed his country would deliver a robust response.

The missile launch, and Pakistan's promise to hit back, have stoked fears of a war between the nuclear-armed neighbours. But yesterday's early morning strikes show that India can hurt Pakistan without entering its airspace or deploying nuclear weapons.

Here, we look at what might lie ahead for the two rivals:

Both have nuclear weapons, but as a deterrent

India and Pakistan have built up nuclear arsenals over the years. But their purpose is to stop wars, not start them.

India has a "no first use" policy. This means it will only retaliate with nuclear weapons if there is a nuclear attack on Indian forces or Indian territories.

Pakistan's policy is to use tactical nuclear weapons to counter nuclear threats and conventional military attacks from its bigger, stronger and richer regional rival.

Pakistan has not ruled out using nuclear weapons first if it senses an existential threat. But it can ill afford to initiate such a war with India because of its neighbour's superior firepower. Pakistan has lost three conventional wars in the past.

South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman said yesterday morning's strikes were some of the highest-intensity from India on its rival in years and that Pakistan's response would "surely pack a punch as well".