Indian forces have attacked Pakistan with missiles in three locations, Pakistan’s military spokesman is quoted by the country’s state TV as saying. There are also reports of intense shelling and loud explosions in border areas of the Pakistan-administered state of Kashmir, according to Reuters news agency. Relations between India and Pakistan have declined sharply following a deadly militant attack on tourists in Kashmir last month. India accuses Pakistan of backing cross-border terrorism - a charge Islamabad flatly denies.

The Indian government says its forces have launched “Operation Sindoor”, “hitting terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir “from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed”. In a statement, the Indian government says “nine sites have been targeted”.

"Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistani military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.