In a dangerous escalation between two nuclear-armed rivals, India launched a series of missile strikes into Pakistani-controlled territory early Wednesday, hitting at least three locations and reportedly killing a child and wounding two civilians, Pakistani officials said.

The dramatic pre-dawn attacks shattered the tense calm that had prevailed since last month’s deadly assault on Indian tourists in Kashmir, which New Delhi blames on Pakistan-backed militants. Islamabad has denied any involvement — but now the conflict has turned kinetic.

Pakistani security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Indian missiles struck sites in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Punjab province, including a mosque in Bahawalpur, where a young child was killed and a woman and man were injured.

In a terse but fiery statement, Pakistan’s military spokesman Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif condemned the strikes as “cowardly attacks targeting innocent civilians under the cover of darkness.” He stressed that no Indian aircraft entered Pakistani airspace and claimed that Pakistan has already launched retaliatory strikes, though he offered no further details.

The Indian Defense Ministry, in a carefully worded statement, acknowledged targeting “at least nine sites” it claims were being used by terrorists to plot cross-border attacks. The ministry insisted the strikes were “focused, measured, and non-escalatory,” and emphasized that no Pakistani military assets were targeted.

Still, the timing and scale of the operation — missile launches deep into sovereign territory — signal a grave deterioration in regional stability. The Indian statement added ominously, “We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”

With tensions flaring and civilian casualties mounting, the question now looms: How far are both sides willing to go — and who will blink first?

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)