Indian forces launched several missiles at neighbouring Pakistan and the disputed Kashmir region, stoking fears the conflict could escalate into a World War 3 scenario
India has launched several missiles at Pakistan and the disputed Kashmir region amid escalating fears of a World War III clash between the two nations.
Multiple loud explosions were heard around the city of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir. Massive blasts were also reported in two other places in the region. Following the explosions, Muzaffarabad’s went into a blackout with power being cut. Pakistan’s military told local broadcaster that India had attacked the country with missiles and that they would respond in turn.
“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,” an Indian government spokesperson said. “Altogether, nine sites have been targeted.”
Indian officials claimed the strikes were “focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature.” India claimed no military facilities had been targeted and that the attacks were in response to the Pahalgam terrorist attack which resulted in the deaths of 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen.
But local outlets in Pakistan have claimed at least three people and 12 others were injured in the missiles strikes.
Footage taken at the site of the strikes showed huge explosions in Bahawalpur. A spokesperson for Pakistan’s military said the country “will respond to this attack at a time and place of its choosing.” The spokesperson continued: “All of our air force jets are airborne. This is a shameful and cowardly attack that was carried our from within India’s airspace.”
Aviation analyst Alex Macheras said in a post shared to X/Twitter that flights were diverting out of Pakistani airspace. He added: “Airspace corridor between Oman & India (with aircraft flying between east and west) now very busy as airlines re-route away from Pakistan.”
The missile attack comes after the attack in Kashmir happened during a four-day visit of the country by US vice-president JD Vance last month. The attack happened in a well known tourist town when gunmen approached visitors and opened fire.
Omar Abdullah, the region’s top elected official, took to social media following the attack, adding: “This attack is much larger than anything we’ve seen directed at civilians in recent years.”
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, branded the attack a “heinous act.” He added: “Those behind this heinous act will be brought to justice…they will not be spared. Their evil agenda will never succeed. Our resolve to fight terrorism is unshakable and will only grow stronger.”