A spokesperson for the Pakistan military has reported that India launched missile attacks on three sites within Pakistan on Tuesday.
Witnesses in the region of Pakistani Kashmir, near the city of Muzaffarabad, reported hearing several loud explosions shortly after midnight.
Following the blasts, the city experienced a power outage, as per the accounts of those present.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of rising tensions between India and Pakistan, which have intensified since a recent attack in Kashmir that resulted in the deaths of 26 Indian citizens and injuries to ten others when suspected militants opened fire at a well-known tourist spot.
Indian missiles strike multiple sites within Pakistan: ISPR
Promises a strong response to India's reckless aggression
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, reported that Indian missiles have targeted three locations in Pakistan.
He emphasized that India will face a strong retaliation for its cowardly actions, warning that their fleeting sense of victory will turn into lasting suffering.
The missiles were reportedly launched from the air, impacting areas in Bahawalpur, Kotli, and Muzaffarabad. Witnesses described a bright flash illuminating the sky prior to the explosion in Bahawalpur.
Reports indicate that explosions were heard in both Muzaffarabad and Bahawalpur, with a complete power outage reported in Muzaffarabad.
In response, aviation authorities announced the closure of airspace, leading to the cancellation of all flights, with a NOTAM issued to restrict air traffic for 48 hours.
The DG ISPR also condemned the attack on the Subhan Allah Mosque in Bahawalpur, labeling it a cowardly act targeting innocent civilians. He assured that Pakistan is prepared to retaliate decisively at the appropriate moment.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif previously stated that Pakistan is on high alert for any potential misadventures from India and is ready to respond effectively.
He warned that any attempts by India to disrupt Pakistan's water resources would be met with severe consequences. “We will not remain passive. They are merely fantasizing if they think they can encroach on our territory,” he asserted.
Asif added that any aggressive actions from India would result in significant losses for them.
Indian Rafale jets were reported to have approached the Pakistan border, but their systems were reportedly disrupted. He reassured that there is no atmosphere of panic or war fever in Pakistan.