UK Foreign Office issues travel warning for India and Pakistan as Heathrow flights are delayed

London: Britons have been warned not to travel to parts of India and Pakistan following a deadly escalation in conflict between the two nations.

At least 26 people, including a child, have been killed and dozens wounded after India fired missiles across the border into Pakistani-controlled territory.

The Indian Ministry of Defence said it struck nine locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while retaliatory artillery fire was also reported.

Pakistan claimed it shot down several Indian fighter jets in retaliation as two planes fell onto villages in India-controlled Kashmir. At least seven civilians were also killed in the region by Pakistani shelling, Indian police and medics said.

Tensions have soared between the nuclear-armed neighbours since the attack, which India has blamed Pakistan for backing. Islamabad has denied the accusation.

The missiles hit six locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and in the country’s eastern Punjab province, killing at least 26 people, including women and children, said Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif.

Officials said another 38 people were injured by the strikes, and another five people were killed in Pakistan during exchanges of fire across the border later in the day.

Meanwhile, India said it hit infrastructure used by militants linked to last month’s massacre of tourists in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir.

The Foreign Office has warned anyone in the region against travelling within 10 kilometres of the India-Pakistan border.

It also warned people to stay at least 10 miles away from the Line of Control (the de facto border that divides disputed Kashmir between the two countries) and the Balochistan province of Pakistan.

A statement said: “On the night of 6 May (UK Time), the Indian Ministry of Defence stated it had struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

“In response, there are reports of Pakistani artillery fire across the Line of Control.

“On the night of 6 May (UK Time) Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority indicated that it was closing Pakistan airspace for at least 48 hours. There are reports of flights being diverted. British nationals should contact their airline for up-to-date information.