RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, May 26 (AFP) - Pakistan Wednesday put its forces on high alert after unprecedented Indian air strikes in disputed Kashmir and warned the crisis could snowball into open conflict. "The Pakistan army is on high alert. We are very, very carefully monitoring the situation on the Line of Control," the 720-kilometer (450-mile) de facto border between the two zones of the contested territory, a military spokesman told reporters. He said a few bombs landed on "our side" during Wednesday's aerial bombardment by the Indian air force in Kargil and Daras sectors of Kashmir, but there was "no damage." "This makes the matter very, very serious," the spokesman said, warning if the Indians continued land and air space violations such things could "snowball into a bigger conflict." "Pakistan reserves the right to retaliate in whatever manner considered appropriate," the spokesman said. Pakistan has taken "very serious notice" of the situation and a protest will be lodged with India, he said, adding responsibility for any escalation would "squarely rest on India and its armed forces." The spokesman said India launched the first air strikes between 6:20 and 6:50 a.m (0120 and 0150 GMT) in mountainous Kargil and Daras regions, using also helicopter gunships. There was another round of strikes later, he said. Pakistan had been alerted to the possibility of a major operation after India moved 70 frontline aircraft to the area and concentrated around 10,000 troops there in the past 10-12 days, he said. India said its air force had attacked what it called Pakistan-backed Moslem militants entrenched on the heights, whom the Indian army has been battling amid more than two weeks of artillery duels with Pakistani forces. Pakistan has accused neighbouring India of escalating the tensions in the volatile Himalayan state, divided between the two countries and claimed by both. The new nuclear powers have fought two wars over the region in the past. New Delhi holds two-thirds of Kashmir and Pakistan the remaining northern third. "We are prepared for any eventuality," the spokesman said, adding India's aim could be to occupy some part of the Pakistani part. If India targetted Pakistani positions after what happened Wednesday "we reserve the right to retaliate in similar fashion." The events mark "a serious upgradation of fire", he said, noting the Indian air force had never gone into operation in Kashmir in the past. The spokesman said more than 100 Indian troops had been killed since a May 6 clash in an area near the Siachen glacier when they first attacked to take some Pakistani positions but were repulsed. "The Pakistan army continues to occupy its own area and will continue to defend it," he added. Pakistan supports the Kashmiris' struggle politically, morally and diplomatically but "there is no question of logistic or active military help by the Pakistan army," he added. And he said Indian claims that the Afghan Taliban militia were involved in the Kashmiri struggle were ""ridiculous." The director generals of military operations held a routine meeting to discuss the border situation on Tuesday but there was no contact on Wednesday. He denied Pakistani troops had captured any Indian soldiers, saying three Indians reported to be missing probably died in one of the attacks.  