Pakistan reported eight fatalities and said it was retaliating to the Indian action.

This is what global leaders have said about the latest hostilities between the nuclear-armed neighbours:

U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP

"It s a shame. Just heard about it. I guess people knew something was going to happen based on a little bit of the past. They ve been fighting for a long time. They ve been fighting for many, many decades. I hope it ends very quickly."

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO

"I am monitoring the situation between India and Pakistan closely. I echo @POTUS s comments earlier today that this hopefully ends quickly and will continue to engage both Indian and Pakistani leadership towards a peaceful resolution."

SPOKESPERSON FOR U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ANTONIO GUTERRES

"The Secretary-General is very concerned about the Indian military operations across the Line of Control and international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries. The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan."

UAE calls for de-escalation

In a latest statement, the Foreign Minister of the UAE, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, urged both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint.

He talked about the importance of diplomacy and dialogue as the most effective means to resolve crisis peacefully.

“We must avoid further escalation that could threaten regional and international peace”, Zayed said.