On Wednesday, three Indian fighter jets crashed within India’s territory, two in Jammu and Kashmir and one in Punjab, following significant missile strikes carried out by India on Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The cause of the crashes is currently unknown, and the status of the pilots remains unclear. The incidents occurred shortly after India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist camps in retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.
The Indian missile strikes, which were part of a coordinated effort by the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, were described as a “focused, measured, and non-escalatory” response aimed strictly at terrorist infrastructure. The Defence Ministry confirmed the operation, carried out just after midnight, and stressed that no Pakistani military facilities were targeted. The operation involved the use of cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions (PGMs), and killer drones, with fighter jets from both India and Pakistan reported to be airborne during the operation, raising concerns over potential escalation along the Line of Control (LoC).
The operation successfully hit key terrorist sites, including:
- Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) headquarters in Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan
- Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) base in Muridke, near Lahore
- Terrorist camps in Kotli and Muzaffarabad, in PoK
The strikes were part of a well-coordinated and meticulously planned military effort, with India taking care to avoid escalation by not targeting Pakistani military infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had authorized the operation, granting the armed forces “complete operational freedom” following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
In response to the strikes, Pakistan condemned the action, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif labeling the missile strikes as an “act of war” and promising a “befitting reply.” The Pakistan Army confirmed that all Pakistani air force jets were put on high alert and airborne in response to the Indian operation.
Following the missile strikes, India took steps to reassure the international community, briefing key global partners, including the US, Russia, UK, UAE, and Saudi Arabia, that the operation was a counter-terrorism measure and not intended to escalate the conflict.
As the situation continues to unfold, Indian air defence units remain on high alert, and both countries are watching the developments closely, with tensions running high on the LoC.
