The Indian military said early Tuesday it had launched strikes against Pakistan in retaliation for last month’s militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Many in the region are preparing for a possible military confrontation between India and Pakistan because of a terrorist attack two weeks ago.

Malik Khadim’s lips tremble, his voice chokes and his head dips as he raises a hand to his grief-stricken face. It’s a vain effort to stem the tears gushing down his gaunt and weatherbeaten cheeks.