By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan’s military on Wednesday confirmed that at least 31 people were killed after India launched missile strikes into its territory and due to cross-border firing along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two countries.
The number of injured, meanwhile, rose from 46 to 57, military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told an evening news conference.
India announced “Operation Sindoor” late Tuesday night, saying it struck “terrorist infrastructure” at nine locations in Pakistan.
The escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors came in the wake of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.
India blamed Pakistan for the attack, claiming there were cross-border links. Pakistan denied involvement and called for a neutral probe.
Indian officials said New Delhi exercised its “right to respond and preempt as well as deter more such cross-border attacks.”
Pakistan said it shot down five Indian fighter aircraft and that it "reserves the right to respond."