Pakistan launches fresh military action, claiming India hit its military bases

• Latest exchanges: The weeks-long confrontation between India and Pakistan escalated further on Saturday, with Islamabad launching a military operation in retaliation to what it said were Indian strikes on its military bases overnight. India’s military said it “effectively countered and responded” to Pakistan’s operation.

• ‘Well-coordinated strikes:’ Pakistan’s Prime Minister said later Saturday that Islamabad’s retaliatory strikes had deliberately targeted Indian military sites, as he praised his military’s “powerful and well-coordinated response to India’s unprovoked aggression.”

• Kashmir massacre: Heightened 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.”

• US offers to mediate: Washington’s top diplomat Marco Rubio offered US mediation in the escalating conflict while speaking separately with his counterparts in both countries, 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.