Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry confirmed that at least eight civilians were killed and 33 injured in India’s overnight air raids across six locations. Among the casualties was a young girl killed in Ahmedpur East, where five people died. Several mosques were also hit: Bilal Mosque in Muzaffarabad, Abbas Mosque in Kotli, and another in Muridke. A child was injured and mosque structures were damaged. Even a medical distribution center was reportedly targeted.

In response to India’s military offensive, Pakistan launched counterattacks that have forced the indefinite closure of several northern Indian airports, including Jammu, Srinagar, Leh, Jodhpur, Amritsar, Bhuj, Jamnagar, Chandigarh, and Rajkot. All scheduled flights have been cancelled. According to Pakistani military sources, five Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets, one drone, and a brigade headquarters were destroyed in the retaliatory strikes.

Following Indian airstrikes inside Pakistan, cross-border shelling has intensified along the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan. Loud explosions were heard in Srinagar, although the exact source remains unconfirmed, according to CNN. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir’s Neelum Valley, local resident Jawad Ahmed told The Guardian that shelling continues relentlessly across the border, with mortar rounds being exchanged between military checkpoints on both sides.

In response to India's missile strikes, Pakistan launched a midnight counterattack and destroyed the Indian Army's brigade headquarters. It is reported that Pakistan also shot down multiple Indian fighter jets and a drone. This retaliation came after India carried out “Operation Sindoor,” targeting areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Both sides have reported civilian casualties. Pakistan has accused India of cowardly conduct. The current tensions began on April 22, when 26 tourists were killed in an attack in Kashmir.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan condemned India’s strikes, calling them “cowardly attacks” on five locations within Pakistan-administered territory. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he asserted that Pakistan has every right to respond forcefully and is doing so. “The people of Pakistan are standing firmly with our armed forces in facing this aggression,” he wrote. The Prime Minister has also called for an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee at 10:00 AM local time to assess the situation.

In a swift retaliation to India’s missile strikes, the Pakistan Air Force has shot down two Indian fighter jets. According to state-run PTV, all Pakistani aircraft involved in the operation returned safely. “Our armed forces are responding appropriately to enemy aggression,” the channel stated. Around 1:00 AM local time on Wednesday, India launched missile attacks on nine locations inside Pakistan. At least three missiles struck cities in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and two other urban areas, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and injuring more than a dozen others.

Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir has warned that any violation of the country’s sovereignty or territorial integrity will be met with full military retaliation. While stressing Pakistan’s desire for regional and global peace, Munir stated that national dignity and public welfare would be defended at any cost. He highlighted foreign-backed terrorism in Balochistan as the gravest threat, vowing to foil all conspiracies aimed at destabilizing the province. He also noted that several government-led socio-economic projects in the region have begun yielding results.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that Indian Rafale fighter jets were forced to retreat due to Pakistan's electronic jamming systems. This marks the first time Pakistan has publicly acknowledged the use of electronic warfare to counter Rafale aircraft. According to Pakistani defense sources, the incident occurred between the night of April 29 and 30. The Rafale, procured from France, is currently India’s most advanced fighter jet.

Following India’s earlier ban on Pakistani ships using its ports, Pakistan has reciprocated by prohibiting Indian-flagged vessels from entering Pakistani ports. The government said the move was necessary to protect national security and economic interests. Pakistani ships will also no longer dock at Indian ports. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Pakistan’s exports to India—mainly pharmaceuticals, fruits, and oilseeds—made up less than 0.0001% of India’s total imports in FY 2024-25.

Pakistani diplomat Mohammad Faisal accused India of reneging on its commitment to a plebiscite in Kashmir as mandated by UN resolutions. He said recognizing Kashmir as a disputed territory is essential for peace and called for a resolution through dialogue. Faisal dismissed Indian accusations regarding Pahalgam as baseless and reiterated Pakistan's demand for an impartial international investigation. He added that India currently deploys 900,000 troops in Jammu and Kashmir and maintains a belligerent stance toward Pakistan.

Following the Pahalgam attack, cross-border firing was reported near the Tutmar Gali post in India-controlled Kashmir and the Lepa sector in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Though no casualties have been confirmed, local residents—particularly in Karnah, Kupwara—have begun rebuilding underground bunkers at their own expense. The activity reflects renewed fears on both sides of the Line of Control, as memories of past destruction resurface among civilians.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that India has yet to provide credible evidence linking Pakistan to the recent Pahalgam attack. During a meeting with Turkey’s ambassador, Sharif expressed appreciation for President Erdogan’s continued support for Pakistan. Despite India’s “provocative behavior,” he reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to restraint and called once again for an impartial international investigation. He added that Pakistan would welcome Turkish participation in such an initiative. The Turkish envoy reaffirmed support for Pakistan and urged all regional parties to exercise restraint to preserve peace in South Asia.

India has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reassess its loan support to Pakistan. Last year, Pakistan received a critical $7 billion bailout to stabilize its economy. In March, the IMF approved an additional $1.3 billion for climate resilience projects. India has expressed concerns regarding the effective utilization and transparency of these funds.

Azad Kashmir's Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has instructed residents in 13 border constituencies to stockpile two months’ worth of food, anticipating possible emergencies. A 1 billion PKR fund has been established to ensure food, medicine, and essentials in those areas. Additionally, private machinery has been deployed along with government resources to maintain infrastructure near the border. Religious schools have already been closed as a precautionary measure.

All madrasas in Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir have been closed for 10 days amid fears of possible Indian military attacks following rising tensions with New Delhi. Although the Pakistani government officially cited high temperatures as the reason, Hafiz Nazir Ahmad, Director of Religious Affairs in Kashmir, acknowledged that the shutdown is largely due to security concerns. He warned that India's military might target religious institutions at any time.