New Delhi: India launched an attack on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir early on Wednesday.
This is in response to the April 22 killing of 26 tourists, comprising 25 Indians and one Nepal citizen, at Pahalgam.
An official release said, India launched missiles at Muzaffarabad, Kotli and Bahawalpur. “The Indian armed forces launched ‘Operation Sindoor’, hitting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Jammu & Kashmir from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed,” a PIB release issued late night informed.
According to the release, altogether nine sites were targeted. No retaliation from the Pakistan side had been reported till filing of this report.
“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,” pointed out the Union government’s agency.
“We are living up to the commitment that those responsible will be held accountable,” it added.
In Muzaffarabad, huge explosions sent shockwaves through the town. Witnesses reported seeing missiles targeting the power grid and striking vital infrastructure. Smoke billowed from the damaged stations as the electrical supply snapped.
In Bahawalpur, residents claimed to hear three loud booms in the night, though officials remained mum.
Pakistan Army confirmed attack by India.
This followed Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s dire warnings as he had foretold impending Indian military action with an ominous tone. Asif’s statements had triggered waves of fear among the public.
It came on the heels of the Indian government conducting nationwide emergency drills to test civil defence preparedness in view of the highly tense situation.
International leaders have urged restraint, desperately trying to lower temperatures and prevent the crisis from exploding into an open war between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
