Pakistan labels Indian airstrikes 'an act of war

INDIA fired missiles at Pakistan early yesterday, in what it said was retaliation for last month’s massacre of Indian tourists. Pakistan called the strikes an act of war and claimed it had downed several Indian fighter jets.

- ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORTERS

The strikes targeted at least nine sites “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned”, India’s defence ministry said.

Pakistan's military said the missiles hit six locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and in the country’s Punjab province and killed more than two dozen people, including children.

Pakistan said it reserved the right to respond, raising the spectre that the back-and-forth could spiral into all-out conflict. Already, it is the worst confrontation between the rivals since 2019, when they came close to war.

Following the strikes, there was a heavy exchange of fire that officials in each country said left more people dead. Three planes fell on to villages in India-controlled territory, according to Indian police and residents, although it was not immediately clear if they were downed by Pakistan.