India Launches Missiles into Pakistan Amid Rising Tensions

Tensions between India and Pakistan have sharply escalated after India launched missile strikes early Wednesday on several locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab, which reportedly killed at least one child and wounded others. India claims the strikes were part of 'Operation Sindoor,' targeting nine sites of terrorist infrastructure allegedly used to plan attacks against India, following a recent massacre in Kashmir that killed 26 people. The Indian government emphasized that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted and described the operation as restrained and non-escalatory. Pakistani officials, however, assert that the missiles hit civilian areas, including a mosque, and condemned the attack as cowardly, vowing retaliation. In response, Pakistan claims to have shot down two Indian jets and launched its own retaliatory strikes, further fueling concerns of conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Both sides have accused each other of supporting terrorism and initiating hostilities, with international observers warning of the risks of further escalation.