India launches strikes on Pakistan in response to Pahalgam attack, Islamabad vows retaliation

India's government said Thursday that 13 civilians had been killed by Pakistani fire in "ceasefire violations" along their border since Wednesday, after violence escalated into artillery shelling following Indian strikes.

India's foreign ministry said that all those killed were in the town of Poonch, with 59 others injured, the majority also in the town.

India's army also said that a soldier had also been killed in Poonch on Wednesday "during Pakistan Army shelling", taking the total confirmed deaths on the Indian side to 14.

US President Donald Trump called Wednesday for India and Pakistan to halt their fighting, the worst violence between the nuclear-armed countries in two decades.

"I want to see them stop," Trump said at the White House, adding: "We get along with both countries very well, good relationships with both, and I want to see it stop. And if I can do anything to help, I will be there."

The death toll from Indian air strikes and border firing on Pakistan rose to 31 on Wednesday, the country's military said.

"The death toll has climbed to 31 and 57 others have been wounded," Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said in a televised address.

In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Sharif condemned India’s strikes on Pakistan, stating, "India made a mistake."

He suggested that India may have expected Pakistan to retreat but "forgot this is a nation that knows how to fight."

Sharif claimed that within an hour of the strikes, Pakistani forces launched a "continuous fight" along the Line of Control (LoC), allegedly downing Indian jets, though New Delhi has yet to confirm the claim.

Sharif also reported that India’s strikes led to 26 deaths and left 46 others injured, including women and children. He added that a seven-year-old boy was killed while at home with his mother and brother.

China's foreign ministry has urged its citizens to avoid areas near the India-Pakistan conflict zone.

Responding to concerns over the situation’s impact on Chinese nationals and airlines, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Wednesday that China is closely monitoring developments.

“We advise Chinese citizens and institutions in the affected areas to stay alert, enhance risk awareness, and avoid traveling to conflict zones,” Lin said. “In case of emergency, please contact the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate for assistance.”

The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has advised its citizens to avoid all travel within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border, 10 miles (around 16 km) of the Line of Control in Kashmir, and Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

In a statement, the FCDO noted: “On the night of May 6 (UK time), Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of its airspace for at least 48 hours. There are reports of flight diversions. British nationals should check with their airlines for the latest updates.”

The office added, “We are closely monitoring the situation. British nationals should stay updated with our travel advice and follow local authority guidance.”

India is carrying out nationwide civil defense drills on Wednesday, just hours after launching military strikes on targets in Pakistan.

Officials said the drills were planned in advance, based on a rare directive from the Ministry of Home Affairs ordering all states and union territories to participate — a move not seen in decades.

According to official updates on X, the exercises will take place at 244 locations and will involve emergency sirens, evacuation protocols, and blackout simulations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday urged "dialogue" and "de-escalation" after violence between Commonwealth members India and Pakistan.

"Rising tensions between India and Pakistan will be of serious concern for many across Britain," he told parliament.

"We are engaging urgently with both countries, as well as other international partners, encouraging dialogue, de-escalation and the protection of civilians," he added.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy also called for "restraint" between the two nuclear-armed neighbours after they exchanged heavy artillery fire leaving at least 38 dead in the worst tensions in two decades.

"The UK government is urging India and Pakistan to show restraint and engage in direct dialogue to find a swift, diplomatic path forward," he said in a statement.

The EU called on India and Pakistan to act immediately to deescalate after the most serious military confrontation between the nuclear-armed neighbours in two decades.

"We do urge both sides to show restraint and take immediate steps towards deescalation. The EU recalls the need for a negotiated, agreed and lasting, peaceful solution to the conflict," EU foreign affairs spokesman Anouar El Anouni told reporters.

The US mission in Pakistan issued a security alert on Wednesday, urging American citizens to leave areas near active conflict zones.

"We are aware of reports of military strikes by India into Pakistan. This remains an evolving situation, and we are closely monitoring developments. US citizens are reminded of the 'Do Not Travel' advisory for areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict. Additionally, the US Department of State has issued a 'Reconsider Travel' advisory for Pakistan," the mission said in a statement. 

Tensions between India and Pakistan forced airlines across Asia and Europe to cancel, reroute, or delay flights to avoid conflict zones.

• South Korea: Korean Air rerouted flights to Dubai via Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India, bypassing Pakistani airspace.

• Taiwan: China Airlines diverted or cancelled multiple European-bound flights; EVA Air adjusted routes, including rerouting via Vienna.

• Russia: Aeroflot rerouted flights to India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Seychelles.

• Singapore: Singapore Airlines confirmed rerouting to avoid Pakistan.

• Malaysia: Malaysia Airlines diverted Europe-bound flights via Doha and suspended Amritsar routes until May 9.

• Thailand: Thai Airways rerouted flights to Europe and South Asia and cancelled a roundtrip to Islamabad.

• Sri Lanka: SriLankan Airlines reported no changes to its Pakistan routes.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday announced the closure of the Kartarpur Corridor “until further orders”.

Punjab’s Gurdaspur Deputy Commissioner, Dalwinderjit Singh, told the media that the corridor would remain shut for the day.

He added that the district administration had not yet received any instructions from the government regarding the coming days.

Nearly 150 Indian pilgrims had arrived at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) for the pilgrimage to the historic Sri Darbar Sahib gurdwara in Pakistan’s Narowal district but were later asked to return home.

Col. Sofiya Qureshi, an Indian Army officer, said the missile strikes began at 1:05am and lasted approximately 25 minutes, according to the Associated Press. She emphasised that no military installations were targeted.

The operation, she stated, was intended “to deliver justice to the victims of the Pahalgam terror attack and their families.

Amid rising tensions following India’s strikes in Pakistan, several Indian states will hold security drills on Wednesday, the home ministry announced. The exercises will feature air raid sirens, blackout preparations, evacuation plans, and civilian response training for potential hostile attacks. The drills aim to boost readiness as fears grow over a possible escalation into wider conflict.

Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has withdrawn its earlier 48-hour NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) regarding the temporary closure of Pakistani airspace, restoring normal flight operations over major cities including Lahore and Karachi.

“In view of the evolving regional situation, passengers are advised to stay in contact with their respective airlines for updated information regarding their flights,” the CAA said in a statement.

Flight operations at key airports, including Karachi’s Jinnah International and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International, have since returned to normal, though airlines may adjust schedules based on operational assessments.

Earlier, Pakistan temporarily closed its airspace for 48 hours, suspending all domestic and international flights across all the country's airports, including Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Sialkot, and Quetta.

Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, has cancelled several flights to and from Pakistan due to the closure of northern Pakistan airspace and airports following military activity in the region.

The decision, announced in a travel advisory issued by the Dubai-based carrier, impacts services to multiple cities.

According to the update, which was last revised on May 7, the cancellations affect flights scheduled for May 7.

Here are the nine camps that Indian officials said were targeted during 'Operation Sindoor,' according to Reuters:

1. Markaz Subhan Allah, Bahawalpur

2. Markaz Taiba, Muridke

3. Sarjal, Tehra Kalan

4. Mehmoona Joya Facility, Sialkot

5. Markaz Ahle Hadith Barnala, Bhimber

6. Markaz Abbas, Kotli

7. Maskar Raheel Shahid, located in Kotli District

8. Shawai Nallah Cam in Muzaffarabad

9. Markaz Syedna Bilal

China on Wednesday said it was willing to play a "constructive role" in easing tensions between Pakistan and India in response to a major escalation between its nuclear-armed neighbours.

"We are willing to work together with the international community and continue to play a constructive role in easing the current tensions," foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a briefing.

France on Wednesday called on India and Pakistan to show restraint as the worst violence in two decades flared between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

"We understand India's desire to protect itself against the scourge of terrorism, but we obviously call on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avoid escalation and, of course, to protect civilians," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, said in an interview on TF1 television.

"I don't think anyone has an interest in a lasting confrontation between India and Pakistan," he said, adding that he would be speaking with his counterparts in India and Pakistan.

Indian police and medics said at least seven civilians were killed and 30 others wounded in the Pakistani firing and shelling at multiple places across the Line of Control, the border that divides disputed Kashmir between the two countries.

The death toll from Indian missile strikes in Pakistan and firing along the border on Wednesday has risen to 26, the military said.

"Until now 26 innocent civilians have been martyred in attacks," said military spokesman Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

An Indian missile strike on a mosque in Bahawalpur killed 13 people, including women and children, according to a Pakistani official, as reported by the Associated Press.

Missiles launched from India struck several sites across Pakistan, damaging at least four mosques and a medical clinic, officials reported.

In Muridke, near Lahore, a mosque sustained structural damage. Nearby stood a large building that once served as the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) before Pakistan banned the group in 2013 and seized facilities operated by a charity tied to LeT founder Hafiz Saeed.

Another missile hit a mosque in Bahawalpur, next to a seminary that previously housed the central office of Jaish-e-Mohammed, a militant organisation outlawed by former President Pervez Musharraf in 2002.

Authorities said the group has not maintained an active presence there since the ban. Investigations into the full extent of the damage are ongoing.

China's foreign ministry has urged India and Pakistan to show restraint and prioritise peace and stability, Reuters reported.

In a statement, the ministry expressed regret over India's early morning military operation and voiced concern about the escalating situation.

"India and Pakistan are each other’s neighbours — and ours too," the statement said. "China opposes all forms of terrorism and urges both sides to stay calm and avoid actions that could worsen tensions.

The Indian army said the operation was named “Sindoor”. "Sindoor" means the red vermilion worn by married Hindu women, an apparent reference to the widows created by the April 22 attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 m

Another aircraft reportedly crashed in an open field near the Line of Control in Indian-controlled Kashmir early Wednesday, shortly after India launched missile strikes on Pakistan.

Local resident Sachin Kumar told the Associated Press he heard loud blasts and saw a fireball light up his village, Bhardha Kalan, near Akhnoor. He and others found two injured pilots, who were later taken by the Indian army.

An unidentified aircraft crashed into a school building on the outskirts of a city in Indian-controlled Kashmir early Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. The incident occurred shortly after India launched missile strikes on Pakistan.

Firefighters battled the flames for hours, while police and military sealed off the site in Wuyan village, Pampore, for investigation and security.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with his counterparts from India and Pakistan, encouraging both sides to engage in discussions to settle an escalating military confrontation, the White House said Tuesday.

"He is encouraging India and Pakistan to re-open a channel between their leadership to defuse the situation and prevent further escalation," said US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes in a statement, after India carried out air strikes on Pakistani soil.

India's army said Wednesday that three civilians had been killed overnight by artillery fired by Pakistan's army along their Line of Control border with Kashmir.

"During the night of May 06-07... Pakistan Army resorted to arbitrary firing including artillery shelling from posts across the Line of Control and IB (international border) opposite Jammu and Kashmir", the army said in a statement.

"Three innocent civilians lost their lives in indiscriminate firing/shelling", it added, saying that the Indian army is "responding in proportionate manner".

Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended all flights to Pakistan following the closure of Pakistani airspace. The airline said it is closely monitoring the situation and reaffirmed that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority.

Passengers have been advised to check the latest updates on affected flights by visiting qatarairways.com or by contacting the airline’s customer service centre at +974 4144 5555.

Pakistan said it shot down five Indian airplanes in retaliation to Indian military strikes early Wednesday.

The downing of the jets are not "hostile acts", and Pakistan was defending its territory, the country's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said in an interview with Bloomberg on Wednesday.

India's Ministry of External Affairs didn't immediately respond to requests for information sent outside of Indian business hours.

Pakistan Armed Forces spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said India attacked nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Reuters reported. He said eight Pakistanis were killed, 25 injured, and two remain missing.

Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, Air India and Indigo Airlines issued a flight advisory for commuters flying to and from selected cities in the country.

Taking to social media X, Indigo in a post on X stated that flights to and from Srinagar, Jammu, Amritsar, Leh, Chandigarh and Dharamshala would be impacted.

The airlines requested passengers to check flight status before reaching the airport.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee set for Wednesday, a senior official said, after the militaries of India and Pakistan clashed overnight.

"PM summons the National Security Committee meeting at 10 AM (0500 GMT)" the Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar said.

Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval briefed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shortly after New Delhi's strikes on Pakistan, the Indian embassy in Washington said Tuesday.

"India's actions have been focused and precise," the embassy said in a statement, adding that Rubio, who is also currently the acting US national security advisor, had been briefed "on the actions taken."

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, has called on the Republic of India and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to exercise restraint, de-escalate tensions, and avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace.

Sheikh Abdullah stressed the importance of heeding the voices calling for dialogue and mutual understanding to prevent military escalation, strengthen stability in South Asia, and avoid further regional tensions.

He reaffirmed that diplomacy and dialogue remain the most effective means of peacefully resolving crises, and achieving the shared aspirations of nations for peace, stability, and prosperity.

Sheikh Abdullah further emphasised that the UAE will continue its efforts to support all initiatives aimed at achieving peaceful resolutions to regional and international conflicts and mitigating their humanitarian consequences.

Airstrikes from India have impacted Pakistan’s north and the coastal city of Karachi, prompting authorities to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that took effect at 4:30pm ET and is set to expire at 2:30 pm ET on Wednesday.

The NOTAM has led to the diversion of several flights that were scheduled to pass through or near Pakistani airspace, according to FlightRadar24 data reviewed by CNN.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated in recent weeks following a mass shooting in Kashmir in April, leading airlines such as Air France and Lufthansa to avoid Pakistani airspace.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called India's attack a cowardly action and said the nation would retaliate.

"Pakistan has a full right now to respond in a befitting manner to the conflict imposed on us," Sharif said in a statement. "The enemy won't be allowed to achieve its goals."

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "very concerned" about Indian military strikes on Pakistan, his spokesperson said on Tuesday, hours after India said it hit nine sites in Pakistani territory.

"The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan," said Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson.

Two civilians in Kotli and a child in Bahwalpur, Pakistan, have been killed in India's strikes, a spokesperson for Pakistan's military says.

Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry adds that 12 more civilians were injured in Ahmedpur Sharqia in Bahwalpur, according to reports from Pakistani media Geo News.

He also says a family including a child have been trapped under the rubble of a collapsed house.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has summoned a meeting of the National Security Committee set for Wednesday, a senior official said, after the militaries of India and Pakistan clashed overnight.

"PM summons the National Security Committee meeting at 10 AM (0500 GMT)" the Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar said.

"It's a shame, we just heard about it," Trump said at the White House, after the Indian government said it had hit "terrorist camps".

"I guess people knew something was going to happen based on the past. They've been fighting for many, many decades and centuries, actually, if you really think about it," he added.

"I just hope it ends very quickly," said Trump.

A spokesperson for Pakistan’s military said Islamabad “will respond to this [attack] at a time and place of its choosing”.

“All of our air force jets are airborne. This is a shameful and cowardly attack that was carried our from within India’s airspace,” the spokesman adds.

Indian forces also attacked Pakistan with missiles in three locations, Pakistan’s military spokesman was quoted by the country’s state TV as saying.

There are also reports of intense shelling and loud explosions in border areas of Kashmir.

“Pakistan will respond to (India’s attacks) at a time and place of its own choosing,” said Lieutenant-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the military spokesperson, said, calling the air strikes a “heinous provocation.”

Pakistan also closed its airspace for 48 hours.

India said: “Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”

The statement added that the attack was ordered after last month’s deadly militant attack on tourists in Pahalgam in India-administered Kashmir that killed 26 people.

India said it conducted military strikes against "terrorist camps" in Pakistan, an expected move after it pledged retaliation for a militant attack last month in Kashmir that killed 26 people.

India said in a statement early Wednesday that it had not targeted any Pakistani military facilities in what it called "a precise and restrained response" to the April 22 attack.

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said in a television interview that India's planes never entered Pakistan airspace during the strikes, which the military said only targeted civilians, and that the country will retaliate. Pakistan airspace was closed after the Indian strike, Pakistan International Airlines Corp. spokesman Abdullah Hafeez said in a text message.