Heavy cross-border shelling has resulted in several deaths in both Indian and Pakistani forces along the volatile Line of Control in Kashmir, intensifying regional tensions.
At least three civilians, including a child, were killed after India fired missiles at Pakistani territory, Pakistan's Minister of Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif told AFP.
"They have targeted multiple locations, which all are civilian... We have confirmed reports of three civilians killed, including one child," Asif told
Indian police reported that two women were injured as a result of shelling by Pakistani forces on the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kashmir.
India on Wednesday accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire agreement with artillery fire across the dividing line in Kashmir soon after New Delhi said that it had hit targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.
"Pakistan again violates the Ceasefire Agreement by firing artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch- Rajauri area," on the Indian side, the Indian army said in a post on X. The army "is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner," it added.
Pakistan again violates the Ceasefire Agreement by firing Artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch- Rajauri area.#IndianArmy is responding appropriately in a calibrated manner. pic.twitter.com/mbOXnQ5mMd
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 6, 2025
The chief minister of Pakistan's Punjab province announced that a state of emergency has been declared across the region, with all hospitals placed on high alert and security forces mobilized to respond to any potential threats or developments amid the escalating tensions with India.
Tensions between India and Pakistan have flared dramatically following a series of cross-border strikes. India said on Tuesday evening that it carried out "precision strikes at terrorist camps" in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir, days after it blamed Islamabad for a deadly attack on the Indian side of the contested region.
"A little while ago, the Indian Armed Forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor,’ hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed," the government said in a statement.
The Indian Army clarified that the strikes were aimed at what it described as "terrorist camps" and claimed the operations were conducted with “surgical precision to minimize collateral damage.”
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday he hoped clashes between India and Pakistan end "very quickly."
"They've been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually, if you really think about it... I just hope it ends very quickly," Trump said at the White House.
The Pakistani military warned of retaliation amid fears of a broader conflict in the volatile South Asian region.
According to Major General Ahmed Sharif, spokesperson for the Pakistan Armed Forces, “India has violated our sovereignty by striking nine sites inside Pakistan using missiles. This is an act of aggression, and Pakistan will respond at a time and place of its choosing.”
Reports from Al Jazeera’s regional correspondents indicate that nine Indian missiles struck sites in the Pakistani-administered regions of Kashmir and Punjab. One of the missiles reportedly targeted the old airport in Muzaffarabad, a city in Pakistani-administered Kashmir known for its military presence and strategic significance.
These developments mark one of the most serious escalations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in recent years. The region of Kashmir, which is claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but administered in parts by each, has long been a flashpoint for conflict. Cross-border skirmishes and military engagements have occurred intermittently, but the use of missiles to target sites deep inside Pakistani territory represents a notable escalation.
There is mounting concern in the international community, with several foreign ministries reportedly monitoring the situation closely and urging both sides to exercise restraint. Analysts warn that any miscalculation could rapidly spiral into a broader military confrontation.
As of now, neither side has reported casualties, and independent verification of the targeted sites remains limited due to restricted media access in the conflict zones.
Diplomatic sources suggest backchannel communications may already be underway, but no official dialogue has been announced. Both militaries remain on high alert as the situation continues to develop.
AFP
Comments