Indian Airstrikes Kill 8 in Pakistan, Mosques Hit

India launched a series of missile strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir early Wednesday, killing at least eight civilians and injuring 35, according to the Pakistani military. Among the targets were two mosques, one of which was hit during prayers, killing a 3-year-old girl.

The strikes affected six different locations, with a total of 24 missile impacts, said Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The heaviest damage occurred in Ahmedpur Sharqia, near Bahawalpur in Punjab province, where five civilians died.

Missile impacts were also reported in Muridke, Shakargarh, and villages near Sialkot, as well as in Muzaffarabad and Kotli in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The military confirmed that two mosques were destroyed and that the dead included a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy.

The Pakistani defence minister said all targets were civilian areas and denied Indian claims of targeting terrorist infrastructure, calling them "false and misleading."

Pakistan claims it has downed multiple Indian aircraft, captured Indian soldiers, and destroyed a brigade headquarters in response to the attacks. Emergency measures have been taken in affected areas, with hospitals placed on high alert and staff leave cancelled.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister condemned the airstrikes as an "act of war" and said the country was delivering a "befitting response" to what he called unjustified aggression.

India has not yet officially responded to Pakistan’s claims but stated its operations were aimed at neutralising terrorist threats.