Pakistan claims it killed 40 to 50 Indian soldiers along de-facto border in Kashmir

Pakistan’s government says its armed forces have killed between 40 and 50 Indian soldiers during fresh fighting along the Line of Control, the de facto border that divides Indian-administered and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

The figures, confirmed to CNN by Pakistan’s information ministry, follow earlier reports from local media outlets on Thursday.

“We have blown their [Indian] military installations on the de facto border,” said Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Information Minister, in an interview with Sky News. The comments reflect the sharp escalation in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Pakistan says the attack was in response to airstrikes launched by India early Wednesday on areas in Punjab and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Officials in Islamabad have pledged retaliation.

Security officials in Pakistan claim they shot down five Indian Air Force jets and destroyed several drones during the exchange. New Delhi has not yet responded to these claims. CNN has contacted India’s defense ministry for comment, but it has not issued a public statement.

Independent sources have not verified the reported casualty numbers or equipment losses. CNN notes that the situation remains fluid, and facts may shift as more information emerges.

Kashmir, a region claimed in full but controlled in parts by both India and Pakistan, has long been a flashpoint. The two nations have fought three wars since their independence in 1947 two of them over Kashmir.

“This is not the first time skirmishes have erupted,” said Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director at the Wilson Center. “But the scale of this clash and the claims from both sides are deeply concerning.”

Analysts worry that both sides could be locked in a dangerous cycle of retaliation. With national elections looming in India, observers say the government in Delhi may feel pressure to take a firm stance.

Earlier this year, the United Nations urged restraint in the region after several deadly exchanges of fire along the border.

“The use of military force in Kashmir has historically triggered larger escalations,” said Arifa Noor, a defense analyst based in Islamabad. “Both countries should prioritize diplomacy before the situation spirals out of control.”

Despite the tensions, there has been no official declaration of war from either side. Still, military presence on both sides of the border has increased sharply since Wednesday’s airstrikes.

In recent years, drone warfare and advanced surveillance have played an increasing role in conflicts along the Line of Control. Satellite imagery released last year showed fortified bunkers and enhanced air defense systems near the border.

Pakistan’s claims come amid a surge in nationalist rhetoric from political leaders in both countries. On Thursday, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a high-level security meeting and warned India against "miscalculation."

Meanwhile, India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has remained silent on the reports, though party leaders have previously stated that India reserves the right to defend its sovereignty.

International observers are urging calm. “We call on both nations to exercise maximum restraint,” said a spokesperson from the European Union. “Peace in the region remains vital for global stability.”

As the world watches closely, the risk of further conflict hangs over a region that has seen far too many flare-ups. The people of Kashmir, often caught in the crossfire, remain the most vulnerable.

CNN’s Aishwarya S. Iyer contributed to this report.

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