India launches missile, drone strikes across Pakistani cities, fires at international border

ISLAMABAD -- India launched missile and drone strikes in multiple areas of Pakistan, including three airbases of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), and also resorted to unprovoked firing along the international border in eastern Punjab province, Pakistani officials and sources confirmed in the wee hours of Saturday.

Missiles were launched from Indian aircraft targeting Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi city of Punjab province, where the headquarters of the Pakistani army is located, said Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistani army.

Chaudhry said that the Pakistani military successfully intercepted the missiles and confirmed that two other PAF airbases in Punjab were also targeted, but all strategic assets remain safe and operational.

Speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, well-placed sources said that five security personnel, including an officer, were injured in the attacks and shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The sources added that the Indian army also initiated unprovoked firing at the international border near Narowal district in Punjab province, injuring one Pakistani soldier.

A few short-range missiles also landed in the Punjab's provincial capital city of Lahore, though no casualties or property damage were reported.

Several drones were reported in various parts of the country, including the capital city of Peshawar in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

One man was injured when a drone fell in the Gulberg Greens area at the outskirts of the capital, Islamabad police sources told Xinhua, adding that multiple drones had been spotted in the capital, and police, along with security agencies, were dispatched to investigate the situation.

Saifullah Khan, a spokesperson of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority, told Xinhua that all airfields of Pakistan have been closed till 12:00 a.m. local time (GMT 0700) Saturday.