News Center- Pakistani army fired artillery in Bhimber Gali in Poonch- Rajauri area on Wednesday, hours after India launched military strikes in both Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

At least 26 people were killed and 46 others injured in the strikes launched by India’s army early Wednesday, said Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistan Armed Forces.

The deadliest strike occurred in Ahmedpur Sharqia, near Bahawalpur (Punjab province), where a mosque compound was hit, killing at least five people, including a three-year-old girl, according to Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.

Pakistan claimed that it shot down five Indian Air Forces jets and a drone.

Tensions have been escalating between the two countries since a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22. India said its missiles precisely targeted “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistani territory.

The Indian Army said three civilians in Indian-administered Kashmir were killed in shelling by Pakistani troops from across the border.