Civilian Casualties Reported Amid Cross-Border Tensions in Jammu and Kashmir

Escalating Violence in Jammu and Kashmir

According to the Indian Army, three civilians lost their lives due to gunfire and shelling from the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir between Tuesday and Wednesday night.

The Indian Army stated, "We are responding in a proportional manner."

This escalation in hostilities followed New Delhi's announcement that the Indian military had conducted strikes on terrorist camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a response to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.

The defense ministry reported that nine locations were targeted by the Indian Air Force as part of Operation Sindoor.

They emphasized that their actions were focused, measured, and aimed at avoiding escalation. "No military facilities in Pakistan were targeted, demonstrating India's restraint in choosing targets and methods," the ministry noted.

They reiterated their commitment to holding accountable those responsible for the attack.

In the aftermath of the strikes, several airports in northern India were closed.

Officials at the Srinagar Airport confirmed that no civil flights would operate.

SpiceJet issued a travel advisory on X, announcing that airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar would remain closed until further notice, affecting departures and arrivals.

Air India also announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot until noon on Wednesday, pending updates from authorities.

Additionally, two international flights headed for Amritsar were redirected to Delhi.

The Jammu and Kashmir government declared that schools in border areas would remain closed on Wednesday.

Following the strikes, the Indian Army's public information directorate stated that "justice is served."

Further details are expected to be released later on Wednesday, according to the defense ministry.

Pakistan confirmed that India had executed the strikes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated on X that the Indian Air Force had targeted locations across the international border in Muridke and Bahawalpur, as well as areas along the Line of Control in Kotli and Muzaffarabad.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asserted that Pakistani forces had the "right to respond forcefully" and that a "forceful response is being given."

The extent of casualties and damage from the strikes remains unclear, although the Pakistani military reported fatalities.

The terror attack in the Baisaran area near Pahalgam on April 22 resulted in 26 deaths and 17 injuries, targeting tourists based on their religious identity, with all but three of the deceased being Hindu, according to police reports.