Pakistan, India Exchange Missile Strikes in Escalating Cross-Border Conflict

Pakistan on Saturday said it launched retaliatory strikes against India after three of its air bases were hit by missiles.

The cross-border exchanges, ongoing since Wednesday, mark the most serious escalation in years between the two South Asian rivals.

Both sides have blamed each other for initiating missile attacks on key military installations.

India accused Pakistan of targeting dozens of airbases and military command centers across northern India using drones, long-range weapons, and fighter jets.

The accusation came hours after Pakistan said India had fired six surface-to-air missiles at three of its main military bases early Saturday.

India said its armed forces responded with precision strikes on Pakistani military sites, targeting radar systems, arms depots, and command centers.

"After Pakistan deliberately targeted air bases, Indian armed forces took a quick and well-planned retaliatory action," said an Indian defense official.

Pakistan confirmed it had launched a counter-attack under the name Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos, referring to a Quranic phrase meaning “wall of lead”.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told political leaders that Pakistan had “avenged the blood of our innocent citizens” following what he described as repeated Indian strikes on civilians.

India denied targeting civilian areas.

Sharif's office said Pakistan had exercised “extreme restraint” before launching its response.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said the military operation targeted several bases in northern India, including a missile storage site.

It also said Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar briefed Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan about the situation.

Prince Faisal reportedly “appreciated Pakistan’s measured and restrained response”.

Two blasts were heard near the airport and army headquarters in Srinagar, Indian-administered Kashmir, on Saturday, according to officials and witnesses.

Additional explosions were reported in Baramulla town as hostilities continued.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif downplayed concerns about nuclear escalation.

“The nuclear option is present, but we should not discuss it now,” he told ARY TV.

He said there were no plans for the National Command Authority to convene, dismissing reports to the contrary.

Despite the ongoing conflict, both India and Pakistan said they would not escalate further if the other side showed restraint.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged both countries to resume direct communication and avoid miscalculation.

The G7 called for “maximum restraint,” warning of a “serious threat to regional stability.”

Clashes have occurred daily since India launched airstrikes Wednesday on what it said were militant camps in Pakistan.

At least 48 people have been killed on both sides since then, according to unverified casualty estimates.

The recent violence follows an attack last month on Hindu tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 civilians.

India has blamed Pakistan-backed militants for the attack.

On Saturday, India said it had begun mobilizing large numbers of troops to the border and had activated its territorial army reserves in case of further escalation.