The strikes targeted at least nine sites “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned,” India’s Defense Ministry said. Pakistan's military said the missiles hit six locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and in the country’s eastern Punjab province.
Pakistan claimed it shot down several Indian fighter jets and said it reserved the right to respond. Three planes fell onto villages in India-controlled territory, and there was a heavy exchange of fire between the sides that officials in each country said left more people dead.
Tensions have soared between the nuclear-armed neighbors since an April attack in which gunman killed 26 people, mostly Indian Hindu tourists, in India-controlled Kashmir, in some cases killing men before their wives’ eyes.
India accuses Pakistan of being behind the attack, which was claimed by a militant group calling itself Kashmir Resistance. India has said the group is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a disbanded Pakistani terrorist group.
Islamabad denies involvement.
India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety.
