India and Pakistan: A look at what might lie ahead for the nuclear rivals

Neither country knows what nuclear weapons the other has or how many (Dar Yasin/AP)

India has launched missiles into Pakistani territory in retaliation for a gun massacre on tourists in April. Pakistan’s leader condemned the strikes and vowed his country would deliver a robust response.

The missile launch, and Pakistan’s promise to hit back, have stoked fears of a war between the nuclear-armed neighbours. But Wednesday’s early morning strikes show that India can hurt Pakistan without entering its airspace or deploying nuclear weapons.