India Pakistan LIVE: 'Act of war' declared as Kashmir blitzed by missile strikes

Pakistan has claimed it has shot down five Indian fighter jets following India’s strikes on Pakistani territory, in a major escalation of tensions between the two countries.

The dramatic new claim comes just hours after earlier reports suggested at least two jets had been downed. The Indian government has yet to respond officially to Pakistan’s latest statement, fuelling confusion and concern over the rapidly unfolding situation.

An Indian official previously told Reuters that a fighter jet had crashed in Indian-administered Kashmir and the pilot had been taken to hospital — but did not confirm whether the crash was the result of enemy action.

The Indian government has so far remained tight-lipped, even as rumours and unverified footage circulate on social media, leaving the public and international observers anxious for clarity.

A mystery aircraft has crashed into a school in Indian-administered Kashmir, just hours after India launched missile strikes on Pakistan, sparking fresh fears that the region is spiralling into chaos.

The dramatic incident happened in the early hours of Wednesday near the main city, with terrified locals in Wuyan village, in the Pampore area, waking to the sound of explosions and a fire lighting up the sky.

“There was a huge fire in the sky. Then we heard several blasts also,” said Mohammed Yousuf Dar, a shaken resident who witnessed the crash.

Firefighters battled for hours to bring the blaze under control as thick smoke filled the air. The area was quickly sealed off by police and military teams, as speculation swirled over what exactly had happened.

An Indian official later confirmed to Reuters that a fighter jet had crashed in Indian-administered Kashmir and the pilot had been rushed to hospital. It is not yet known if this is the same aircraft that crashed into the school.

Adding to the confusion, a Pakistani official earlier told The Guardian that at least two Indian Air Force jets had been shot down, though this claim has not been independently verified.

The crash comes amid mounting fears that the latest escalation between the two nuclear-armed rivals could tip the region into further violence.

British politicians have urged restraint after India launched missile strikes into Pakistani-controlled territory, sparking fears of a wider conflict.

Lord Ahmad, who served as South Asia minister in the previous Conservative government, warned the situation was spiralling dangerously out of control.

He described the strikes as an “alarming escalation” and called on both sides to step back from the brink before more lives are lost.

The UK government has so far avoided taking sides but has joined international calls for dialogue, with many MPs expressing deep concern over the rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

India's news agency IANS has provided a translation of an interview with India's Brigadier Vijay Sagar Dheman - (retd) who it quotes as saying via its X account: "Look, this strike was the culmination of a plan that had been in the works for quite some time—how to hit Pakistan, hit them decisively.

"And we have specifically proven that this is our attack; it’s not an escalation of war. We haven’t started a war against Pakistan.

"We have targeted those terrorists who carried out the cowardly act in our country, in which 26 of our people were martyred in Pahalgam.

"So, this was a well-thought-out strike on nine locations. Pakistan’s statement has also come out; they have acknowledged that 24 of their sites have been damaged, and there has been significant destruction..."

Tensions between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan reached boiling point following the brutal massacre of 25 Indian tourists and a Nepalese citizen in the disputed Kashmir region.

The horrifying attack, which took place on Tuesday in the volatile Himalayan territory, has reignited fears of full-scale conflict. A shadowy Islamic militant group calling itself the Resistance Front has claimed responsibility — a group previously unheard of until recently.

India has pointed the finger squarely at Pakistan, accusing its neighbour of harbouring terrorists — though officials have yet to publicly release any evidence to support the claim. Pakistan has fiercely denied any involvement, calling the accusations “baseless”.

In a dramatic response, New Delhi has launched a series of tough measures: diplomatic ties with Islamabad have been downgraded, a vital water-sharing treaty suspended, and all visas issued to Pakistani nationals have been revoked.

Pakistan hit back with forceful retaliation of its own — closing its airspace to all Indian-owned or operated aircraft and halting all trade with India, including goods transiting through third countries.

With tit-for-tat actions mounting by the hour, fears are now growing that the two nuclear armed arch-rivals could be heading for all out war.

"On the night of 6 May (UK Time), the Indian Ministry of Defence stated it had struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, there are reports of Pakistani artillery fire across the Line of Control. On the night of 6 May (UK Time) Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority indicated that it was closing Pakistan airspace for at least 48 hours. There are reports of flights being diverted. British nationals should contact their airline for up-to-date information. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities."

It added "Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)."

Pakistan-based news agency Kashmir Dot Com has posted an image via its X account said to show a residential house on fire following shelling by Pakistan.

The latest bloodshed came just one day after Iran’s foreign minister made a direct plea for peace. On Monday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi arrived in Islamabad and called for both nations to back down.

“We seek de-escalation and urge all parties to exercise restraint and avoid increasing tensions,” Araqchi said, in a message now overshadowed by fresh violence.

Tonight’s deadly flare-up raises new fears that the decades-old Kashmir conflict could spiral dangerously out of control once again.

Tensions on the India-Pakistan border have flared once again after a woman was tragically killed and a child injured in a fresh exchange of mortar and gunfire along the volatile Line of Control in Kashmir.

The deadly incident unfolded in the Mankote area, a heavily militarised zone that has seen repeated flare-ups between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

According to a local doctor, the woman suffered fatal injuries during the cross-border barrage, which saw intense shelling and gunfire between Indian and Pakistani troops.

A young child was also wounded in the attack, sparking renewed fears for civilians caught in the crossfire of this long-running conflict.

Fresh cross-border shelling has erupted along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, following Indian airstrikes inside Pakistani territory.

Residents on both sides of the volatile border have been gripped by fear, as heavy mortar fire continues to rain down on military checkpoints in the wake of the escalating conflict.

Jawad Ahmed Paras, speaking from Neelum Valley in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, described a night of terror as "loud explosions" echoed through the area.

"The firing hasn't stopped," he told The Guardian. "Everyone is awake and very worried. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow."

Locals have scrambled for cover, with some taking refuge in bunkers built decades ago during earlier flare-ups. Paras added, "No one has seen firing this intense in over twenty years."

The renewed hostilities have sent shockwaves across the region, with fears mounting that the confrontation could spiral further out of control.

The Indian military has not confirmed or denied the downing of two or possibly three of its jets over Pakistan airspace during its attacks on up to five sites across the country, according to Pakistan's PM, Shehbaz Shari.

With conflicting reports from across Pakistan emerging over whether Indian jets have been in fact destroyed, experts are calling for caution and for claims that could lead to escalation to be checked fully.

The Indian air carrier Spicejet has listed the following five Indian airports as closed to aircraft: Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar.

It is not currently known whether these closures are in response to a specific security threat.

No official statement has currently been made on how travellers will be affected and what plans have been put in place to mitigate disruption.

Stéphane Dujarric, a spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he is "very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border".

She adds: "He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan."

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has just issued a statement.

He says: "The treacherous enemy has launched a cowardly attack on five locations within Pakistan. This heinous act of aggression will not go unpunished.

"Pakistan reserves the absolute right to respond decisively to this unprovoked Indian attack — a resolute response is already underway.

"The entire nation stands united behind its armed forces, and our morale and resolve remain unshaken. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave officers and soldiers of Pakistan.

"The people of Pakistan and its forces are fully prepared to confront and defeat any threat with our strength and determination.

"The enemy will never be allowed to achieve its malicious aims."

Pakistani television network Saama TV has reported the downing of an Indian drone in the Barnala sector of Pakistan.

The report stated:

"The drone, believed to be on a reconnaissance mission, was intercepted and destroyed by Pakistani forces in what is being seen as a clear warning against further provocation."

It added "Earlier, Pakistan's security sources claimed that a Rafale and reportedly an SU-30 fighter jet belonging to the Indian Air Force were shot down in Bathinda and Akhnoor areas of India, amid rapidly intensifying hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours."

Pakistan military spokesman Ahmed Sharif has said in a television interview with BBC News that his nation would respond to India's strikes, which he said had killed seven civilians including two children and injured ten other adults across three locations "at a time of their choosing." He said the attacks were an "unprovoked act of war" and described the action as a breach of international law. He added "the Indian forces have martyred innocent civilians, including women and children."

Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy has posted the following via her X account: "Deeply concerning to see military air strikes in Jammu Kashmir tonight by the Indian Government - the world cannot stand by as this conflict escalates and so too the risk of harm to innocent civilians in the region."

She added "Restraint by all concerned must be sought and secured."

Fighting has erupted in India the same day Sir Keir Starmer hailed “a new era for trade and the economy” as he celebrated that landmark agreement on trade.

India is the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of £4.2trillion. With a population of 1.4billion, it also has high levels of poverty but a growing middle class hungry for overseas goods. The deal is the culmination of work that began under the previous Conservative government, when current Tory leader Kemi Badenoch held negotiations in India in her role as trade secretary. It will add £4.8billion to the UK economy, the Government said.

A statement by Pakistan's Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif said: "The deceitful enemy has carried out cowardly attacks at five locations in Pakistan.

"Pakistan has every right to give a full and strong response to this act of war imposed by India - and a full response is being given. The entire nation stands with the Armed Forces of Pakistan, and the morale and spirit of the Pakistani people are high.

"The Pakistani nation and the Armed Forces of Pakistan know well how to deal with the enemy. We will never allow the enemy to succeed in its nefarious objectives."

India has launched an attack against Pakistan tonight after vowing justice following a terror attack on April 22 that saw 26 people murdered in the disputed Kashmir region.

India had accused Pakistan of supporting the militants behind the attack on tourists at a scenic meadow near the resort town of Pahalgam.

Islamabad has rejected the allegations.

The BBC reports India announced earlier today that it would stop its water from flowing over international borders.

"Now, India's water will flow for India's benefit, it will be conserved for India's benefit, and it will be used for India's progress", Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday.

Several rivers flow from India into Pakistan, providing vital water supplies to about 80% of farms there.

BBC presenter Fiona Bruce was forced to interrupt her usual BBC News at 10 broadcast to issue some breaking news on India's attacks on Pakistan.

She told viewers: "News is just coming in. India has said it has launched an attack on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan administered Kashmir.

"Pakistan has now said it is retaliating. These are - I will just remind you - two nuclear-powered states."

Pakistan state broadcaster claims two Indian jets have been downed by air defences, the Guardian reports.

The BBC reports a spokesperson for Pakistan's military said Islamabad "will respond to this [attack] at a time and place of its choosing". They added: "All of our air force jets are airborne. This is a shameful and cowardly attack that was carried our from within India's airspace."

Asked about the emerging news, US President Donald Trump said: "It's a shame, we just heard about it as we were walking through the doors of the Oval... I guess people knew something was going to happen, based on a little bit of the past, they've been fighting for a long time... I just hope it ends very quickly."

Images of explosions in have flooded social media platforms in Pakistan purporting to show the damage caused by the missile strikes.

Express.co.uk are yet to verify these images.

The missiles early struck locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and in the country's eastern Punjab province, according to three Pakistani security officials.

One of them struck a mosque in the city of Bahawalpur in Punjab, where a child was killed, and a woman and man were injured, one official said.

India’s Defence Ministry said in a statement that at least nine sites were targeted “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned.”

“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted,” the statement said, adding that “India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.”

“We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable,” the statement said.

The Indian army in a post on the social media platform X wrote: “Justice is served." It did not provide further details.

India and Pakistan have reportedly engaged in open conflict in a worrying sign of tensions escalating between the two nuclear-armed nations.

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