India's Operation Sindoor Strikes Pakistan, Killing 3 Including Child, Amid Pahalgam Incident Retaliation

India launched missile strikes into Pakistani-controlled territory early Wednesday, targeting at least three locations as part of Operation Sindoor, according to Pakistani security officials. The strikes resulted in the death of a child and injuries to two others. India stated that the missiles were aimed at nine sites of infrastructure used by militants.

The attacks come amidst heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, following a militant attack on tourists in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir last month, known as the Pahalgam incident. India has accused Pakistan of supporting the militants, a claim that Pakistan denies.

Pakistani officials reported that the missiles struck areas in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, including Kotli and Muzaffaabad, and the eastern Punjab province, including a mosque in Bahawalpur where the child was killed. In response, Pakistan launched retaliatory strikes, though specifics were not disclosed. Pakistani army spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif described the Indian action as a 'cowardly attack targeting innocent civilians under the cover of darkness,' noting that no Indian aircraft entered Pakistani airspace. India's Defense Ministry emphasized that their actions were 'focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature,' and the Indian army declared 'Justice is served' following the strikes.