Escalation in South Asia: India's Dramatic Strike in Pakistan

In a significant escalation, India launched air strikes in Pakistan. The attack targeted militant group sites, including residential Islamic seminaries. The strike killed relatives of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder and destroyed suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba HQs. The move, rooted in Kashmir conflict tensions, has heightened Indo-Pakistani relations, with Islamabad promising retaliation.

In the early morning hours, the normally quiet city of Bahawalpur, central Pakistan, was jolted by a vivid flash, the result of an Indian military strike. This attack was a direct response to the recent killing of Indian tourists in Kashmir and marked a significant escalation in Indo-Pakistani tensions.

The air strike targeted sites associated with militant groups Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to Indian officials. The once-bustling Islamic seminary had been evacuated of students amid growing threats of an Indian attack. Tragically, 13 people, including family members of Jaish's founder, were killed when the strike hit.

Further north in Muridke, Indian missiles demolished a mosque and administration buildings linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. Although empty due to prior evacuations, the attack heightened regional tensions. As both India and Pakistan exchanged claims and counterclaims, the specter of prolonged conflict loomed over the subcontinent.

(With inputs from agencies.)