At least eight civilians were killed and 35 others injured in a series of overnight missile strikes by India on multiple locations in Pakistan, according to the military’s media wing.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry shared the details during a press briefing held at 4:08am on Tuesday. He said India carried out 24 strikes using various weapons across six different areas.
“In these localities, eight civilians have lost their lives, 35 are injured and two individuals are currently unaccounted for,” he stated. Damage assessments were ongoing, he added.
Providing further breakdown, Lt Gen Chaudhry said four missiles hit Subhan Mosque in Ahmedpur East, Bahawalpur. The strike killed five people, including a three-year-old girl, and injured 31 others—25 men and six women. He confirmed the mosque was destroyed, along with four residential quarters.
In Muzaffarabad, Bilal Mosque was hit by seven strikes. One girl was injured and the mosque was reduced to rubble.
In Kotli, five missiles struck Abbat Mosque, killing two people—a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy. A woman and her daughter were injured.
In Muridke, four strikes targeted Umalkura Mosque. One man was killed, another was injured, and two people were reported missing. The mosque was destroyed and nearby pottery businesses suffered financial losses.
In the Sialkot district’s Kotki Lohara village, two missiles were fired. One landed in an open field and the other reportedly misfired, causing no casualties. Near Shakargarh, two additional strikes caused minor damage to a local dispensary, but no injuries.
Lt Gen Chaudhry condemned the strikes as a “cowardly, unprovoked attack”, adding that Pakistan had already begun a retaliatory response.
Shortly after the strikes, the Pakistan Air Force reportedly shot down three Indian fighter jets in response. State broadcaster PTV reported that the jets were downed in separate incidents over Bhatinda in Indian Punjab, Akhnoor in Indian-occupied Kashmir, and 17 nautical miles southwest of Awantipora.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the downing of two Indian aircraft around 2:45am during an interview with British broadcaster Sky News. He said the military response was ongoing but did not disclose operational specifics.
Later, speaking to CNN, Lt Gen Chaudhry confirmed the locations of the two jets downed earlier, saying: “One was near Bhatinda, the other near Akhnoor.”
PTV later confirmed a third Indian Rafale fighter jet was shot down. “So far, Pakistan Air Force has brought down three Indian aircraft,” it reported, adding that no Pakistani jets had been damaged, contrary to Indian media claims.
“Indian media, in a state of frenzy, is spreading baseless reports about losses suffered by the Pakistan Air Force,” PTV stated.
In response to the situation, the Prime Minister has convened a meeting of the National Security Committee at 10am today.
The escalation follows rising tensions between the two countries in the wake of a recent militant attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-occupied Kashmir.
