India Strikes ‘Terror’ Sites in Pakistan, Islamabad Vows Retaliation

Tensions in South Asia have flared once again as India launched a targeted military operation against what it called nine “terrorist” sites inside Pakistan.

The airstrikes, conducted early Monday, mark a significant escalation in the volatile relationship between the two nuclear-armed nations.

According to a statement from the Indian Ministry of Defence, the air raids were aimed at disrupting alleged terror infrastructure believed to be behind recent attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

Intelligence reports allegedly pointed to imminent threats being coordinated from across the border.

“These were precision strikes on verified terrorist camps,” said an Indian defense spokesperson. “India will defend its citizens and its sovereignty without hesitation.”

The Pakistani government, however, strongly condemned the strikes, labeling them as a violation of international law and an act of aggression.

Islamabad claims the strikes hit civilian zones and caused injuries among non-combatants, although no casualties have been officially confirmed.

“This provocative action will not go unanswered,” said a senior Pakistani official. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has reportedly called for a high-level security meeting and placed Pakistan’s military on heightened alert.

The international community has expressed growing concern over the potential for wider conflict.

The United Nations Secretary-General called for “maximum restraint and urgent diplomatic dialogue,” while countries like the United States and China urged both sides to avoid further escalation.

India and Pakistan have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, and the disputed Kashmir region has long been a flashpoint.

Although both sides have occasionally engaged in cross-border skirmishes, full-scale military operations raise the stakes significantly.

Analysts warn that unless de-escalation mechanisms are immediately activated, the situation could spiral into a prolonged crisis.