India strikes target Kashmir militants

CONFLICTING REPORT ON DEATHS

INDIA is contradicting Pakistani claims that an air strike it launched on a Pakistan-controlled sector of Kashmir caused no casualties.

Pakistan said India launched an air strike on its territory early yesterday that caused no casualties, while India said it targeted a terrorist training camp in a pre-emptive strike that killed a “very large number” of militants.

The overnight raid was the latest escalation between the nucleararmed rivals since a deadly militant attack in the disputed Kashmir region earlier this month killed more than 40 Indian soldiers.

Pakistan has denied involvement in the attack, but has vowed to respond to any Indian military operation against it.

The Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility. The bomber, who made a video before the attack, was a resident of Indian Kashmir.

Pakistan’s military spokesman, Major General Asif Ghafoor, said the Indian “aircrafts” crossed into the Muzafarabad sector of Kashmir, which is split between the two countries, but claimed by each in its entirety.

He said Pakistan scrambled fighters and the Indian jets “released payload in haste”.

India’s foreign secretary, Vijay Gokhale, said that Indian fighter aircraft targeted Jaish-e-Mohammad camps in a pre-emptive strike after intelligence indicated another attack was being planned.