India's deadly strikes 'act of war,' Pakistan declares

Pakistan has condemned the "illegal acts" by India as "blatant violations of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which manifestly constituted acts of war under international law."

The declaration came from Pakistan's National Security Council (NSC) which convened on Wednesday, Pakistan media Dawn reports. 

It added, "The deliberate targeting of civilians, including innocent women and children, by the Indian military constitutes a heinous and shameful crime, that is in violation of all norms of human behaviour and the provisions of international law."

India launches a series of strikes under ‘Operation Sindoor’ after 1am on Wednesday across Pakistan. The country's ISPR says 24 impacts have been reported, with different weapons, in six localities; 26 Pakistanis slain, 46 injured.

Pakistan’s military responds swiftly; downs 5 Indian jets, destroys Indian brigade headquarters, checkpost along Line of Control. Flights on the ground were put on hold while all inbound and outbound flights were diverted to Karachi.

The escalation comes after Islamabad’s consistent warning of an imminent Indian military attack following the Pahalgam tragedy.