India has hit at least three airbases in Pakistan in the early hours of Saturday in retaliation of Pakistan drone and missile attacks.
India launched the strikes immediately after Pakistan attacked 26 locations across India on Saturday, ANI reported. Intermittent firing is still going on at several places along the Line of Control (LoC).
Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry told a hurriedly called press conference in Islamabad at around 4 am that Nur Khan (Chaklala, Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal) and Rafiqui (Shorkot in Jhang district) airbases of Pakistan Air Force were targeted.
"But all assets of the Air Force remain safe," he claimed. India has fired air-to-surface missiles with its jets, he claimed. He added that several missiles were intercepted by Pakistan's air defence system.
Chaudhry did not take any questions and ended the presser abruptly.
Minutes later, state-run PTV said citing security officials that Pakistan has launched a counter attack.
The Pakistan Airport Authority (PAA) issued a notification stating that Pakistan's airspace has been closed from 3.15 am to 12 noon for all kinds of air traffic. The PAA said it will share updates at 12 noon.
Multiple blasts heard in Srinagar
Multiple blasts were heard in Srinagar city early Saturday morning, hours after the Indian military thwarted drone attacks by Pakistan at several places here late last night.
According to officials, the blasts were heard near vital installations, including the airport.
As soon as the blasts were heard, sirens went off in the city.
Power has also been snapped in the city and most other parts of the valley, the officials said.
Saudi Arabia early Saturday said it was making efforts to de-escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, end current military confrontations, and promote the resolution of all disputes through dialogue and diplomatic channels.
In a brief statement, the Foreign Ministry said that upon the directives of the Saudi leadership, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir visited India and Pakistan on May 8 and 9 as part of the Kingdom's "ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions, end current military confrontations, and promote the resolution of all disputes through dialogue and diplomatic channels".
The Saudi statement came as tensions soared significantly, with Pakistan claiming that its three airbases were targeted by Indian missiles and drones early Saturday.
(With inputs from Agencies)