India retaliates as Pak escalates

Amid escalations with Pakistan, India launched a major attack at Karachi Port and Lahore late Thursday night.

- AGENCIES

Several news reports claimed that explosions were heard in the southern Pakistan city of Karachi near the port and Lahore.

It is the first time after 1971 that the Indian Navy opened front against Pakistan. The Indian Navy reportedly launched missile strikes on key Pakistani naval bases, causing major destruction and panic along Pakistan's coastline.

This came after Pakistan military attempted to hit military stations in Jammu, Pathankot, Udhampur and some other locations with missiles and drones Thursday evening, which were neutralised by Indian armed forces.

After the Indian military foiled the Pakistani attempts, the defence ministry said India remains "fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people".

"Military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir today," a defence ministry spokesperson said.

Military sources said missiles from Pakistan were also directed at Jammu's Satwari, Samba, RS Pura and Arnia towns and that they were blocked by India's air defence systems.