Pakistan summons Indian envoy over missile strikes

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian Charge d'Affaires and lodged a strong protest over Indian missile strikes that reportedly killed at least 26 people and injured 46 others in cities across Pakistan's Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, reports The Economic Times.

According to the Pakistan Army, the strikes were launched shortly after midnight and targeted multiple civilian areas.

"The Indian Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today to receive Pakistan's strong protest over the unprovoked Indian strikes," the Foreign Office (FO) said in a statement.

The FO added that the attacks resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children.

"It was conveyed that India's blatant act of aggression constitutes a clear violation of Pakistan's sovereignty. Such actions are in contravention of the UN Charter, international law, and established norms governing inter-state relations," the statement read.

Pakistan also "firmly rejected" what it called "India's baseless justifications for its hostile conduct," warning that such actions pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability.

Earlier on Wednesday, Indian armed forces confirmed carrying out missile strikes on nine "terror targets" in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were described as a response to the April 22 "terrorist" attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.