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Pakistan says India fired missiles at key military bases and that retaliation is underway

What we're covering

• New attacks: Pakistan said Saturday that India launched missiles at key military bases, including a base close to the capital Islamabad. Shortly after, Pakistan’s military said it had launched an operation against India in retaliation to those latest strikes.

• Kashmir massacre: The rapid escalation of tension between the neighboring states was sparked by the massacre of tourists last month in Indian-controlled Kashmir. In response, India launched “Operation Sindoor” Wednesday in both Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir and said it was targeting a “terrorist infrastructure.”

• Blame game: Both sides have since accused each other of taking escalatory steps, including firing drones and missiles at each other despite calls for restraint from the international community.

• US in contact: Washington’s top diplomat Marco Rubio has spoken with Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir and offered US mediation, according to the State Department.

• A history of tension: Hindu-majority India and Muslim-majority Pakistan each control parts of Kashmir but claim it in full and have fought three wars over the territory.

Rubio offers US mediation, in calls with Pakistani and Indian officials

Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered US mediation in the escalating conflict between Pakistan and India while speaking separately with his counterparts in both countries, according to State Department readouts.

Rubio spoke with India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in separate calls, during which he “emphasized that both sides need to identify methods to de-escalate and re-establish direct communication to avoid miscalculation,” according to the readouts.

He also spoke earlier with Pakistani army chief Asim Munir, during which he “continued to urge both parties to find ways” to de-escalate.

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