The Foreign Office has issued updated travel advice for British citizens in both countries following an exchange of fire
UK Foreign Office has updated its advice for British citizens in India and Pakistan following an exchange of fire between the two countries amidst rising tensions.
India carried out a number of strikes against Pakistan late on Tuesday (UK time) in response to the massacre by militants of 26 Indian tourists in India-controlled Kashmir late in April.
New Delhi claims its neighbour and long-term rival Pakistan is responsible, which is denied by officials in Islamabad.
The updated travel advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), issued for both countries shortly before 12.30am on Wednesday, May 7, advises people to follow the advice of local authorities.
The new Foreign Office travel advice for Pakistan states: “On the night of 6 May (UK Time), the Indian Ministry of Defence stated it had stuck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, there are reports of Pakistani artillery fire across the Line of Control.
“On the night of 6 May (UK Time) Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority indicated that it was closing Pakistan airspace for at least 48 hours.
“There are reports of flights being diverted. British nationals should contact their airline for up-to-date information. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities.”
Meanwhile, the update for India states: “On the night of 6 May (UK Time), the Indian Ministry of Defence stated it had struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. In response, there are reports of Pakistani artillery fire across the Line of Control.
“We are aware of potential disruption to flights to/from India and are monitoring closely. British nationals should contact their airline for up-to-date information. We are continuing to monitor the situation closely. British nationals should stay up to date with our travel advice and follow the advice of local authorities.”
The Indian missiles early on Wednesday (local time) struck locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and in the country’s eastern Punjab province, according to officials.
A mosque was reportedly hit in the city of Bahawalpur, where a child was killed and a woman and a man were injured, an official said.
Pakistani officials said the nation, which like its larger neighbour has nuclear weapons, has launched retaliatory strikes without providing any details – with unconfirmed claims that a number of Indian aircraft had been shot down.
India’s Defence Ministry said in a statement that at least nine sites were targeted “where terrorist attacks against India have been planned”.
“Our actions have been focused, measured and non-escalatory in nature. No Pakistan military facilities have been targeted. India has demonstrated considerable restraint in selection of targets and method of execution.
“We are living up to the commitment that those responsible for this attack will be held accountable.”
The Indian army wrote on X: “Justice is served.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the “deceitful enemy has carried out cowardly attacks at five locations in Pakistan” and that his country would retaliate.
“Pakistan has every right to give a robust response to this act of war imposed by India, and a strong response is indeed being given,” he said.
He added that his country and its forces “know very well how to deal with the enemy. We will never let the enemy succeed in its nefarious objectives”.
Waqar Noor, the interior minister in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, said at least one child was killed in the Indian attack and that several missiles landed at two locations, with the civilian population targeted.
