In Pictures

Celebrations, protests as India carries out air raids in Pakistan

People across India come out on the streets as they celebrate India’s attack avenging a suicide bombing in Kashmir.

This handout photograph released by Pakistan''s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on February 26, 2019 shows a view of damage caused to trees in the hilly terrain after the Indian air force droppe — This handout photograph released by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on February 26, 2019, shows damage caused to trees in a hilly area after the Indian air force dropped their payload in the Balakot area. [ISPR/AFP]

People across Indian cities celebrated on Tuesday the air raids across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan nearly two weeks after at least 42 Indian soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

India’s foreign secretary said fighter jets targeted camps belonging to Pakistan-based armed group, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), which had claimed reponsibility for the deadly Kashmir attack.

Pakistan has accused India of violating its airspace and committing “uncalled for agression”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who faces general elections by May, has been under immense pressure to respond to the Febraury 14 attack in Kashmir.

The latest Indian action has added to the panic among Kashmiri civilians who have been affected by heavy troop deployment and fuel shortages since the suicide attack.

The Himalayan territory of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but claimed in its entirety by both nuclear powers. The two nations have fought three of their four wars over the disputed region.

People hold national flags and an Indian Air Force flag as they salute to celebrate after Indian authorities said their jets conducted airstrikes on militant camps in Pakistani territory, in Ahmedabad — People hold national flags and an Indian Air Force flag in Ahmedabad as they salute to celebrate after India said its fighter jets conducted air raids on rebel camps in Pakistani territory. [Amit Dave/Reuters]

A member of Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) fires a tear gas shell during a protest by Kashmiri demonstrators after India''s National Investigation Agency (NIA) members carried out a raid at — A member of the Indian Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) fires a tear gas shell during a protest by Kashmiri demonstrators after India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) members carried out a raid at the residence of Yasin Malik, Chairman of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), a separatist party, in Srinagar. [Danish Ismail/Reuters]

India''s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale arrives for a media briefing in New Delhi, India, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi — India's Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale briefs the media about India's air strikes in Pakistan at the foreign ministry in New Delhi. [Adnan Abidi/Reuters]

Pakistani Kashmir lawyers hold banners during a protest in Muzafarabad, capital of Pakistani Kashmir, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Pakistan says India launched an airstrike on its territory early Tuesday t — Lawyers in Pakistan-administered Kashmir hold banners during a protest in the capital Muzaffarabad. [M.D. Mughal/AP Photo]

People burn firecrackers to celebrate after Indian authorities said their jets conducted airstrikes on militant camps in Pakistani territory, in Ahmedabad, India, February 26, 2019. REUTERS/Amit Dave — People in Ahmedabad burn firecrackers to celebrate after Indian jets conducted air raids on alleged rebels camps inside Pakistan. [Amit Dave/Reuters]

Pakistani residents walk on a bridge in the mountainous area of Balakot where the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched a raid, on February 26, 2019. An air strike February 26 on a militant camp killed "a v — Pakistanis walk across a bridge in the mountainous area of Balakot where the Indian Air Force (IAF) launched a raid. [Jameel Ahmed/AFP]

Indian people offer sweets to each other as they celebrate the Indian Air Force''s air strike across the Line of Control (LoC) near international border with Pakistan; in Amritsar, India, 26 February 2 — People offer sweets to each other in northern Indian city of Amritsar as they celebrate the bombing of alleged rebel camps inside Pakistan. [Raminder Pal Singh/EPA]

Kashmiri protesters run for cover as they during clash with Indian police men in Srinagar, Indian controlled Kashmir, Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2019. Indian forces in Indian portion of Kashmir used tear gas s — Kashmiri protesters run for cover as they clash with Indian policemen in Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir. [Dar Yasin/AP Photo]