India hits 9 sites in Pakistan, PoK in targeted strikes

In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces carried out missile strikes early Wednesday on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), including Bahawalpur, which is considered a stronghold of the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit.

Pakistan said three were killed and 12 injured in missile strikes. The Indian Army said in a statement released at 1:44 a.m. that the military strikes were carried out under 'Operation Sindoor'.

"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," the Army said. It said the Indian Armed forces' actions have been "focused, measured, and non-escalatory in nature."

"No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in the selection of targets and method of execution," the Indian Army said.

India’s strikes hit five locations inside Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, CNN reported, quoting Pakistani military sources. The locations are Kotli, Ahmadpur East, Muzaffarabad, Bagh, and Muridke.

Pakistan vows to respond Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif early Wednesday, termed the Indian missile strikes on terror targets in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Punjab province as an "act of war" and said his country has every right to give a "befitting reply." Sharif said India has carried out attacks on five places in Pakistan.

"The enemy will never be allowed to succeed in his nefarious objectives,” he said, adding that the entire nation is with the Pakistani Armed Forces. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan will respond "with full force". “We will respond with full force. We will pay off this debt in the manner such debt is paid,” Asif told Geo News.

He said Pakistan's response would be both kinetic and diplomatic, and it would not take long to retaliate to the Indian attack. "All places are open for the international media to verify if they targeted terrorists’ camps or civilians,” he said.

Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that missiles fired by India targeted Kotli and Muzaffarabad in PoK and Bahawalpur in Punjab province.' "All of our air force jets are airborne. This cowardly and shameful attack was carried out from within India's airspace. They were never allowed to come and intrude into the space of Pakistan,” he said.

“Let me say it unequivocally: Pakistan will respond to this at a time and place of its own choosing. This heinous provocation will not go unanswered,” he added. Pakistan has closed its airspace for all air traffic for 48 hours. I hope it ends very soon: Trump Responding to the Indian attack on Pok, US President Donald Trump said the two countries have been fighting for a long time and people knew “something was going to happen”.

“It's a shame, we just heard about it just as we were walking in the doors of the Oval. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past," Trump said. "They've been fighting for a long time. They've been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually, if you really think about it,” Trump said. When asked if he has any message for the countries, he said “No, I just hope it ends very quickly.”

Complete operational freedom' India's actions came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack. "These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered," the Indian Army said in the statement. "We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable," it said. The top military brass of India was closely monitoring the operation, people familiar with the matter said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a high-level meeting with the top defence brass on April 29, gave the armed forces "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of the response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Modi also emphasised the national resolve to deal a "crushing blow to terrorism."

(With PTI inputs)