In a significant escalation of tensions, India conducted air strikes on areas within Pakistan on Tuesday night local time, reportedly resulting in at least 26 fatalities, according to Pakistani military sources.

This event follows a recent deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that claimed the lives of more than twenty individuals, including tourists.

The air strikes targeted three locations in Pakistan, specifically in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, as well as in Bahawalpur, Punjab.

Pakistani officials indicated that strikes impacted a mosque and a clinic, with reports confirming casualties among the civilian population.

A military spokesperson initially reported three deaths, which was later updated to eight, while a local hospital in Bahawalpur announced that 13 individuals had died due to the air strikes.

The Indian Ministry of Defence described the operation, dubbed 'Operation Sindoor,' as a countermeasure aimed at holding those responsible for the April 22 attack accountable.

This incident had resulted in the deaths of 25 Indians and one Nepali national.

The Pakistani government, however, refuted any involvement in that earlier attack.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a national security committee early on Wednesday morning in response to the air strikes, stating that this act of aggression would not go unpunished and asserting that Pakistan reserves the right to respond robustly.

In addition to casualties, the conflict has led to a lockdown of schools across various Pakistani provinces, and emergency measures have been implemented in hospitals in Kashmir.

The ongoing hostilities also disrupted air travel in the region, with several flights from Europe cancelled.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), one of the country's major political parties, denounced India for what it called aggression against Pakistan, claiming it targeted civilian populations across the border.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the party leader, stated on social media that India's actions constitute violations of international law, the UN Charter, and Pakistan’s sovereignty, pledging to defend the nation's integrity.

Reports suggest that four of the Indian missiles struck an educational complex in Muridke, Punjab.

Eyewitness Muhammad Yunis Shah detailed that three missiles hit in quick succession, followed by a fourth explosion several minutes later.

The complex was reported to house a school, a college, accommodations, a medical facility, and residential areas, with significant damage observed.

The city of Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-administered Kashmir also came under fire from Indian munitions.

Local resident Muhammad Waheed described the chaos and panic that ensued following the strikes, underscoring the community's disbelief that their local mosque was targeted, when it was an ordinary place of worship.

As clashes intensified along the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistani security forces reported six fatalities in the conflict zone.

Concurrently, the Indian military reported that three Indian civilians lost their lives due to Pakistani artillery fire.

Subsequent counts raised the number of Indian casualties to at least ten.

In a broader context, China expressed concern over the military actions taken by India, labeling them 'regrettable and worrying.' Chinese officials urged both nations to remain calm and exercise restraint to prevent further escalation of hostilities.