India has accused Pakistan of launching high-speed missiles at its air bases early on Saturday, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours, as reported by The Independent.
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a ministry defence spokesperson, said the strikes began shortly after 1am.
Pakistan also attempted to hit civilian infrastructure, including schools and medical facilities, in Indian-administered Kashmir, she claimed.
Fact check: Fake news spreading after India strikes Pakistan
The strikes caused limited damage at military installations in Udhampur, Pathankot, Bhuj and Adampur.Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri called Pakistan’s actions “escalatory” and described India’s response as “measured”.
He dismissed Islamabad’s claim of destroying key Indian defences, including an air force base in Sirsa and an S-400 air defense system in Adampur, as “lies” and “propaganda”.
The Pakistani military had said it used medium-range Fateh missiles to target a missile storage facility in Pathankot and an air base in Udhampur in retaliation for Indian attacks.
The country’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, denied reports that the prime minister had called a meeting of the nuclear command.
Meanwhile, US secretary of state Marco Rubio spoke to Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, offering American support for de-escalation and urging both nations to begin “constructive talks".
