Pakistan has vowed to take revenge on India after tensions escalated dramatically following a series of deadly Indian strikes.
The military action comes as revenge for a terror attack that occurred two weeks ago.
Pakistan has vowed to respond to what it describes as an "act of war" and claims civilians have been killed in the strikes.
A Pakistani military spokesman said that it shot down five Indian aircraft whilst in Indian airspace, though this claim has not been independently verified.
Pakistan has vowed to take revenge on India after tensions escalated dramatically following a series of deadly Indian strikes
Getty/ Reuters
The situation marks a significant deterioration in relations between the nuclear-armed neighbours.
Pakistan's prime minister has stated that the country's armed forces have been "authorised to undertake corresponding actions" following India's attacks.
A statement from the prime minister's office added: "In consonance with Article-51 of the UN Charter, Pakistan reserves the right to respond, in self-defence, at a time, place, and manner of its choosing to avenge the loss of innocent Pakistani lives and blatant violation of its sovereignty."
The National Security Committee was convened and condemned India's "unprovoked, cowardly and unlawful act of war".
Pakistan claims the overnight attack killed 26 civilians and wounded 46 others.
Pakistani officials claimed the attacks "deliberately targeted the civilian areas, on the false pretext of presence of imaginary terrorist camps".
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They said the strikes resulted in "the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and children, and causing damage to the civilian infrastructure, including mosques".
Pakistan also alleged the attacks posed "grave danger to commercial airlines belonging to brotherly gulf countries", potentially endangering "thousands of on-board passengers".
According to Islamabad, these actions "manifestly constituted acts of war under international law".
India has defended its actions, stating it struck nine Pakistani sites that provided "terrorist infrastructure" and did not target military facilities.
Pakistan has vowed to respond to what it describes as an "act of war" and claims civilians have been killed in the strikes
Getty
The operation, dubbed "Sindoor", was carried out in response to the killing of 26 people in Indian-controlled Kashmir on April 22.
India also claimed that 10 civilians were killed and 48 injured in cross-border shelling by Pakistani troops in Kashmir.
The disputed Kashmir region has long been a flashpoint between the two countries.
Both India and Pakistan claim the Himalayan region as their own, but control different sections of the territory.
