India says it attacked nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir on Wednesday, where strikes against it had been planned.

Pakistan called the attacks cowardly and a huge invasion of borders and territory, attacking and killing innocent women and children. So far, three people were killed in the attack, and at least 12 were left seriously wounded as per the initial assessment.

This is a major escalation of tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals as Islamabad vowed to retaliate.

The Indian government said it had attacked nine different sites and called them precision strikes at terrorist camps, but failed to provide any evidence.

Pakistan says all the attacks were carried out in the most populous province of Punjab, which borders India.

AFP correspondents in Pakistan-run Kashmir and Punjab heard several loud explosions. ‘We will retaliate at the time of our choosing’- the Pakistani military spokesman shared, calling the strikes a heinous provocation.

Pakistan has rejected all claims and accusations that the two sides were taking part in nightly gunfire since April 24 along the de facto border in Kashmir, the militarised LOC or line of control, as per the Indian army.

Pakistan has invited the country to come forward and take part in transparent investigations to determine who the real culprits are.