Pakistan vows to avenge India's 'act of war' as 26 people killed in missile strikes
India launched 'Operation Sindoor' at 1.05am local time, with officials saying that they successfully targeted nine different locations, which they described as "terrorist infrastructure".
Speaking at the press conference, Col Sudhir Chamoli claimed that Indian intelligence had uncovered evidence that 'further attacks against India were impending' and said India needed to 'both to deter and pre-empt'.
'These actions were measured, not escalatory, proportionate and responsible,' Chamoli said of Wednesday's attacks.
However, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) has said India's 'unjustified attacks deliberately targeted the civilian areas, on the false pretext of presence of imaginary terrorist camps', and caused 'grave danger to commercial airlines'.
'The responsibility for ensuing consequences shall lie squarely with India,' it said.
(Image: ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)
Pakistan said the strikes killed 26 people and injured 46 others. Among the dead were six people killed at two mosques and two teenagers who were killed elsewhere, Pakistani officials said.
The strikes, which followed Tuesday's missile assault, come amid soaring tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, after a deadly attack last month on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir.
26 people were killed on April 22 when gunmen stormed a scenic mountain spot in the India-administered part of Kashmir, a disputed border region.
India blamed Pakistan for that attack, while Islamabad denied it had any role in the massacre, and the two nations have exchanged nightly gunfire since April 24 along the line of control.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned Wednesday's airstrikes and said earlier that his country would retaliate.
"Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given," Sharif said.
(Image: Faisal Khan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
"The Pakistani nation and the Pakistan armed forces know very well how to deal with the enemy. We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives.'
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Wednesday's attack "constitutes a clear violation of Pakistan's sovereignty," adding: "The Indian side was warned that such reckless behavior poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability."
In response to Wednesday's airstrikes, Pakistan claimed it had shot down five Indian air force jets and a drone.
US President Donald Trumpsaid the clashes between the two nations were 'a shame' and told reporters at the White House that he hoped the fighting "ends very quickly".
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) describes the security status in both India and Pakistan as requiring a 'high degree of caution' and is advising Irish citizens against all travel to Pakistan.
Irish citizens currently in Pakistan have been urged to always exercise 'vigilance and caution' and avoid large public gatherings, the DFA said in a statement on its website.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Journal
an hour ago
- The Journal
High demand for Irish passports from US-applicants, with jump in UK requests post Brexit
A HIGH NUMBER of applicants from the US have applied for an Irish passport this year, with the latest figures for this year showing 26,111 applications have been submitted. While those numbers account for the first eight months of 2025, the year in which Donald Trump became American president for the second time, they have surpassed the 2022 figures. One of the more famous applicants is comedian Rosie O'Donnell, who is in the process of applying for an Irish passport through descent, according to The Irish Times. Advertisement Last year, a record number of 31,825 applications from US-based applicants were received. This is the highest number since 2016. In 2022, 25,736 were submitted from those based in the US, while in 2023, 29,014 applications were received. It is not just Americans that have been seeking to get an Irish passport in their pocket. Increase in UK applications post Brexit Numbers show that there has also been an increase in UK based applicants post Brexit. Since 2016, there has been continual growth in the number of applications from the UK. Related Reads Larry Donnelly: From Washington to the Áras, uncertainty reigns on both sides of the Atlantic Marion McKeone: Trump is truly rattled over Epstein - can he weather the storm? In 2016, the year those in the UK voted to leave the European Union, there were 131,633. The peak was in 2019, when there were 244,976 applications from those based in the UK. From 2022-2024, the figures are just shy off that mark. This year to date has seen 152,416 applications received. For context, the total passport applications received last year 1,000,640, with 603,782 applications being submitted so far this year. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Letters: Let's keep fingers crossed that Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin will prove fruitful
With the exception of Hungary, all the EU leaders backed the statement, saying that meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or a reduction of hostilities. US president Donald Trump is due to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in Alaska tomorrow to discuss bringing an end to the war. As things stand, there's no invitation for the country the Russian leader invaded, nor for the continent it sits in. It would be true to say that European allies of Ukraine have been burnt before regarding Russian ceasefires. In the past, Russia has made promises that haven't been honoured. I would imagine that the EU will especially be anxious about any possible demands by Russia that Ukraine gives up its quest to join Nato or the EU. One has to be concerned that the outcome of tomorrow's meeting could leave the people of Ukraine extremely unhappy. Of course, the meeting could fall apart without and progress or breakthrough. Perish the thought. John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary As Gazan people continue to suffer, at what point are we going to say 'No more'? I fully agree with your editorial that the intentional assassination of journalists in Gaza was intended to stifle the truth in the middle of the genocide and starvation ('Israel's attempt to silence journalists must be condemned', August 12). Journalists, health-care personnel, children, women, the sick, the infirm and the disabled, along with others, have paid far too high a price in this senseless war. They have witnessed unimaginable death, destruction and famine. Sadly, the international community has become desensitised to images of demolished hospitals, mutilated bodies, weeping women and starving children. When will we say 'No more' to these horrors of war? Dr Munjed Farid Al Qutob, London Vile attacks on our Indian neighbours must not be tolerated in Irish society The abhorrent hate crimes perpetrated against members of the Indian community in Ireland violate our nation's values of inclusion and equality. They endanger a community that has given so much to our country through its contributions to health care and the economy. These hate crimes become even more abhorrent when you consider the powerful historical ties between our nations, something that has been highlighted recently by politicians and other influential figures and must continue to be propagated to help foster tolerance in those who support xenophobia. When you read about our histories, you realise there are potent parallels to be found. To those Irish people who would defend the ill-treatment of the Indian community, there are questions that I feel they must strongly consider. Did you know Ireland and India have a shared history of colonialism? Did you know we have a historical longing for self-determination and nationhood? Did you know we have a shared trauma of famine, conflict and partition within our nations? Did you know that during the Irish Famine of the 1840s, wealthy Hindus, princes and those of lesser financial means donated thousands of pounds to relief efforts for our ancestors? Wouldn't all of this justify a strong bond and affinity between our people, and not the bigotry manifested in the recent hate crimes? I hope this cancer in our society can be cured and that the Indian community in Ireland will feel welcomed and respected. Tadhg Mulvey, Co Meath Ireland should look to its history to learn how to assimilate immigrants As an Irish immigrant in Canada, I have watched from afar how Ireland deals with the issue of racism. Without going into details Ireland needs to look inward. It is long forgotten that it took about 12 generations (1200 to 1450) for the Normans and Gaels to assimilate, but eventually we all became one happy race. Hopefully with that behind us, the Irish can do better. Gerard Walsh, Port Elgin, Ontario Pesky minor headaches that build up to an all-out war as I go about my life Small annoyances have a knack for stealing our patience, especially after a long day. The fly that landed on my head last night while I was trying to sleep ranks high, as does the classic sock that stubbornly slips down inside the shoe. There's the phone screen that refuses to unlock on the first try, traffic lights turning red just as you approach and the dreaded single hair lurking in your dinner. Then there's public wifi that fails every five minutes, the last stubborn blob of toothpaste that won't come out and the remote control dying mid-show. Add to that the loud chewing in a quiet auditorium, misplaced keys when you're already late and the beer that foams over before you've even poured a proper glass. And, in solidarity with Tom Gilsenan, there's the state-service queue where you are always 12th in line (Letters, August 13). He called a public body at 1.30pm and again at 4pm, still stuck behind the same 11th caller who must have been reciting his or her memoirs. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has these issues, and I'm equally sure there are others I haven't listed. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh Gaeltacht colleges keep Irish language alive and are integral to education Áine Ní Bhreisleáin writes about the challenges facing Irish colleges in the Gaeltacht regions, where last year 25,480 students attended courses ('Exodus of mná tí could lead to end of Gaeltacht tradition for Irish teens', Irish Independent, August 12). Not only does an influx of students contribute to the economies of these regions, but the students themselves immerse themselves in an environment where Irish is the everyday language of the ordinary people living there. For most students this is the only time during their school years when they experience our native language outside of school. The 'coláistí samhraidh' need greater supports because their importance in fostering a 'grá don teanga' in the next generation cannot be over-estimated,
Irish Examiner
8 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland must fix infrastructure gaps urgently to secure foreign direct investment
Ireland must address infrastructure gaps with 'great urgency' if it is to successfully attract and grow foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country particularly in light of the new tariff regime coming out of the US, the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland has warned. In its pre-budget submission, the Chamber makes a number of recommendations for the Government to focus in order to make the country a more appealing location for investment. Chief executive of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland Paul Sweetman said with the current 'challenging environment' with tariffs, prompted by US president Donald Trump, competition for investment and talent ' is continuing to increase'. According to the Chamber, 90% of its members surveyed said their corporate headquarters have a positive view of Ireland as an investment location, and 68% said their headquarters already have plans to invest in Ireland over the next five years. It also found that 96% of members said believe the ability to meet climate targets is critical in preserving Ireland's competitiveness, while the same number of respondents expressed concern over the impact that reaching full capacity at Irish airports and ports would have for growth and investment. Mr Sweetman warned that 'infrastructural gaps in key areas including housing, energy and transport are a challenge to Ireland's competitiveness'. The recently announced revised National Development Plan commits to strong investment across a number areas, but it is vital Ireland addresses infrastructure gaps with great urgency. "This can position the country for continued success in attracting and growing foreign direct investment into the future.' On the infrastructure gap, the Chamber said that along with delivering housing, 'critical transport connectivity projects including MetroLink and Dart+' are also needed along with funding to Uisce Éireann to support long-term development projects. The Chamber survey of members found that 98% indicated the availability of housing is a challenge for their employees. In this area it also called for enhancing the electricity grid capacity while supporting renewable energy growth. In the area of taxation, the Chamber has called for tax credits in the areas of digitalisation and decarbonisation as well as the extension of current income tax exemptions and reducing personal tax burdens on employees to support the attraction and retention of talent. The Chamber also called for policies around attracting and retaining talent which includes 'advancing measures to address skills gaps and further support apprenticeships, expanding roles eligible for employment permits and providing an annual budget to support innovation'. Mr Sweetman said that the budget should focus on 'economic levels' within the Government's control. 'Our pre-budget submission outlines smart investment and policy decisions that will best prepare Ireland to leverage opportunities in talent attraction, research and development, digital solutions and energy over the years to come,' he said. 'Winning the next wave of FDI is achievable if Ireland builds upon its existing strengths. This, in turn, will support the growth of the 970 US operations in Ireland, directly employing 210,000 people and a further 169,000 people indirectly.'
