Air battle erupts over Kashmir

Soaring tensions: An Indian paramilitary personnel patrols along the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir. — AFP/AP

India attacked Pakistan and Pakistani Kashmir and Pakistan said it had shot down five Indian fighter jets in the worst fighting in more than two decades between the nuclear-­armed neighbours.

The Indian strikes yesterday included targets in Punjab, its first attacks on Pakistan’s most populous province since the last full-scale war between the old enemies more than half a century ago, triggering fears of further hostilities in one of the world’s most dangerous flashpoints.