[Salon] Pakistan says it has targeted military sites in India, bringing nuclear-armed rivals nearer to war

[Chas Freeman <cwfresidence@gmail.com>]

Pakistan says it has targeted military sites in India, bringing nuclear-armed rivals nearer to war

Pakistan said early Saturday it had hit multiple military targets, days after India launched its largest strikes inside Pakistan in decades.

May 9, 2025   The Washington Post

A paramilitary trooper mans a gun atop a vehicle as he keeps guard during a media tour of the Karachi Port, Pakistan, on Friday. (Shakil Adil/Reuters)

By Shaiq Hussain

, 

Niha Masih and Rick Noack

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan armed forces said they are targeting military sites in India after India fired missiles at three air bases in Pakistan’s Punjab province early Saturday, bringing the nuclear-armed rivals closer to war.

Appearing on local news channels, Pakistan’s Lt. General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said India targeted Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, Murid air base in Chakwal and Rafiqui air base near Shorkot with air-to-surface missiles. Most of the missiles, he said in a later appearance, were intercepted and there were no damage or casualties.

India’s actions, he said, were “pushing the whole region towards dangerous war” and vowed a firm response.

Pakistan’s armed forces media wing, soon after, said they were targeting Indian military sites, claiming to have hit multiple locations.

The Indian government did not immediately issue a response.

The latest moves further pushed the region toward an all-out war between the archrivals who have been engaged in hostilities since May 7.

This is a developing story and will be updated.