BILAL MOSQUE IN MUZAFFARABAD. BBC
Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: India has claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes conducted overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday, under the name “Operation Sandhoor,” targeting what it described as “terrorist hideouts” in Punjab and Azad Kashmir.
In response, Pakistani authorities reported that the strikes, carried out from Indian airspace, resulted in the deaths of eight civilians including women and children and injured 35 others. Two individuals are reportedly missing.
According to military spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, preliminary information indicates India launched a total of 24 strikes across six locations using various types of weaponry.
In a statement released Tuesday night, General Chaudhry said that the attacks targeted Ahmedpur East, Muridke, Sialkot, and Shakargarh in Pakistan’s Punjab province, as well as Kotli and Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir.
India, however, stated that it struck nine locations in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, aiming at what it termed “terrorist infrastructure.” It claimed no civilians or military sites were targeted but did not offer further specifics.
Speaking to the BBC, General Chaudhry added that Pakistan responded by shooting down two Indian Air Force fighter jets and one drone following the missile attacks.
BBC reporters also visited the alleged target sites to assess the damages.
Ahmedpur East (Bahawalpur)
This historic town in Punjab’s Bahawalpur district reportedly suffered four strikes that hit the Subhan Mosque and nearby residential areas. The attack killed five people including a three-year-old girl, two women, and two men and injured 31 others, according to the Pakistani military.
Muridke
Situated about 40 km north of Lahore in Sheikhupura district, Muridke hosts the headquarters of Jamaat-ud-Dawa, known as Dawat-ul-Irshad, according to BBC. Indian strikes allegedly hit the Umm-ul-Qura Mosque and its surrounding quarters, killing one person, injuring another, and leaving two missing.
Muzaffarabad
As the capital of Azad Kashmir, Muzaffarabad holds several key administrative offices. Seven strikes reportedly targeted the Bilal Mosque in the Shawai Nala area. A BBC correspondent noted that residents from Shawai and Saman Bandi were fleeing to safer parts of the city, causing traffic congestion. One girl was reported injured in the strike.
Kotli
Located near the Line of Control, Kotli was also hit. The attack reportedly killed a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old boy, while two women were injured.
Sialkot
This key city in Punjab lies near Indian-occupied Jammu. Two shells were reportedly fired at the village of Kotli Loharan, one of which failed to detonate. No casualties were reported.
Shakargarh
A tehsil in Narowal district, bordering India’s Gurdaspur and the Jammu region, Shakargarh was struck by two shells that caused minor damage to a dispensary, according to Pakistani authorities.
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