India on Tuesday accused Pakistan of firing missiles at the city of Jammu in Indian-occupied Kashmir, a claim Islamabad denied.
Officials from both countries issued separate statements after explosions were heard in Jammu, causing panic among the population.
A complete blackout was imposed in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and local authorities closed all educational institutions until Saturday.
“Military bases in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, near the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, were targeted by Pakistani missiles and drones. There were no casualties. The threat was neutralized by the Indian armed forces, using kinetic and non-kinetic means,” India’s Joint Defence Staff said on social media.
On the other hand, Pakistani Information Minister Abdullah Tarar said that Pakistan had not targeted any location in India’s illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, nor across the international border, so far.
“We urge the international community to take this dangerous behavior seriously and call on India to exercise restraint and responsibility,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement, Anadolu writes.
Tensions between the two nuclear powers escalated earlier this week after India launched Operation Sindoor late Tuesday night, claiming to have targeted terrorist infrastructure at nine locations in Pakistan. Indian officials said New Delhi had exercised its right to respond, prevent and deter future cross-border attacks.
According to Pakistani sources, at least 31 people were killed and 57 wounded in the Indian operation and exchange of fire. Pakistani forces are said to have shot down five Indian fighter jets after the missile strike and have vowed to respond.
India’s Defense Ministry said at least 16 people had been killed in cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the disputed Himalayan region between the two countries.
Earlier on Thursday, both sides claimed to have shot down each other’s drones, some of which were hit over densely populated areas during the night-time strikes.
Pakistani military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told a news conference that Pakistani forces had destroyed 29 Israeli-made Harop drones fired by India, calling it a serious provocation. He said the strikes killed three civilians and wounded four Pakistani soldiers, AA writes.
