At least 12 people were killed and 57 others injured in cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces targeting areas in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Indian media reported on Wednesday.

According to the reports, the artillery attacks were carried out in response to India’s “Operation Sindoor”, a military offensive launched by the Indian Army on Tuesday against what it described as “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir.

The Indian Army claimed it had successfully targeted nine sites, alleging they were terrorist strongholds, while the Pakistani government stated that the strikes hit six civilian locations, resulting in 26 deaths and 46 injuries.

In retaliation, the Pakistani military announced that it had shot down five Indian fighter jets, according to military sources cited by Geo News.

The escalation marks a significant uptick in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, raising concerns over regional stability and potential international repercussions.