India Attacks Nine Pakistani Facilities
Pakistan Shoots Down Five Indian Fighter Jets
Clashes Erupt Over Kashmir Territorial Dispute
On May 7, China expressed regret over the military action taken by India, a de facto nuclear-armed state, against Pakistan, urging both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint.
In a statement released in a Q&A format on its website, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, "China expresses regret over India's military action in the early hours of today (the 7th) and is concerned about the current developments."
The spokesperson emphasized, "India and Pakistan are inseparable neighbors, and they are also neighbors of China," adding, "China opposes terrorism in all its forms."
The spokesperson further stated, "We urge both India and Pakistan to prioritize the broader context of peace and stability, maintain calm and restraint, and avoid actions that would further complicate the situation."
According to AP and Reuters, the Indian government announced in a statement that, in the early hours of the day, its military launched Operation Sindhur, attacking nine locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir used by terrorists. India added that Pakistani military facilities were not targeted in the attacks.
A spokesperson for the Pakistani military reported that Pakistani forces had shot down five Indian fighter jets, while no Pakistani aircraft had been downed. The spokesperson also stated that skirmishes were ongoing at various points along the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between the two countries.
Pakistan's Sama TV, citing sources, reported that the Pakistani military had carried out retaliatory missile strikes on targets inside India.
Since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have clashed multiple times over territorial claims in the Kashmir region. Tensions have remained high between the two countries since a shooting attack targeting tourists and others near the resort area of Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir on the 22nd of last month, which left 26 people dead and 17 injured.
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