India, Pakistan trade fire after deadly Kashmir attack

India carried out airstrikes on targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in the early hours of May 7, in response to a deadly militant attack in Indian-controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The strikes, dubbed Operation Sindoor by the Indian military, targeted what New Delhi described as “terrorist infrastructure” linked to groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. A total of nine locations were hit, according to Indian officials.

The action came as Sri Lanka was focused on the results of local government elections.

Both India and Pakistan — nuclear-armed rivals who claim Kashmir in full but govern parts of it — issued diplomatic statements through their High Commissions in Colombo.

“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted,” the Indian High Commission said in a statement. “These steps come in the wake of the barbaric Pahalgam terrorist attack in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were murdered.”

Pakistan said it responded by shooting down several Indian fighter jets, though the number remains disputed. Some initial reports from Islamabad claimed five jets were downed, while others suggested three.

Islamabad also said 31 people were killed and 37 wounded in the Indian strikes. Meanwhile, India reported 16 deaths from Pakistani shelling.

Pakistan on Thursday claimed it had downed 25 Indian drones overnight, while India said it had intercepted and neutralised multiple drones and missiles. Neither claim could be independently verified.

Tensions remain high between the two countries, both of which have fought several wars over Kashmir.