According to Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the strikes killed one child and injured 12 people in Ahmedpur East, while two civilians were killed in Kotli.
During a late-night press briefing, DG ISPR stated, "Some time ago from now, the cowardly enemy India launched air strikes on Subhanullah mosque in Bahwalpur's Ahmed East area, Kotli and Muzaffarabad at three places from the air."
He also said that Pakistan Air Force had deployed jets in response. "“All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India’s airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan.”
He stated that damage assessments were underway and further updates would be provided. According to Dawn, there was a complete blackout in Muzaffarabad following the blasts.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that a clash with India is now "inevitable" and could occur "at any moment."
Meanwhile, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully to this act of war imposed by India, and a forceful response is being given, adding that their nation stood with its armed forces.
The strikes come after weeks of heightened tension following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.
India's Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Indian Armed Forces had launched "Operation Sindoor," targeting nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
"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 ministry said.
According to the statement, nine sites were targeted. "Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution," it said. The ministry added that the operation was launched in response to the "barbaric" terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen.
"There will be a detailed briefing on 'OPERATION SINDOOR', later today," the ministry said. Meanwhile, the Indian Army posted on X: "Justice is served. Jai Hind!"
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