Karachi, Pakistan — Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated following a series of military confrontations that resulted in casualties and accusations on both sides. India has claimed that Pakistan conducted drone and missile strikes targeting three of its military bases, a assertion that Pakistan has categorically denied.
On Thursday, blasts were reported in Jammu, prompting widespread blackouts in the region. Indian Army officials stated they had intercepted attacks aimed at their bases in Jammu, Udhampur, and Pathankot, located in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, respectively. Indian authorities described the situation as a measure to neutralize intended assaults by Pakistan, leading to heightened security concerns.
“We are not involved in these attacks,” asserted Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. He emphasized that Pakistan would not conduct strikes and deny them, rejecting any claims of military aggression. Earlier in the week, India had indicated it had targeted Pakistan’s air defense systems in response to prior provocations.
The cycle of violence has revived international calls for de-escalation as both nations have engaged in missile strikes and retaliatory actions throughout the week. The United Nations and world leaders have urged both countries to exercise restraint, as the ongoing unrest raises fears of a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
This escalation marks one of the most severe confrontations between India and Pakistan in over 20 years. India has defended its airstrikes, claiming they targeted “terrorist infrastructure” in retaliation for a militant attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians, primarily Indian tourists. Pakistan, however, denied involvement in any militant actions and condemned India’s strikes as unwarranted aggression.
Cross-border shelling has forced local communities to evacuate areas close to conflict zones. Reports indicate that one civilian was killed and several others injured in Pakistan due to Indian military actions. The Pakistani military has also claimed that drones launched from India engaged various locations within its territory.
India’s recent military operations, dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” have exacerbated hostilities. India’s foreign secretary stated that their actions were purely defensive, aimed at addressing an original escalation of violence initiated by Pakistan.
As casualty numbers rise, reports indicate Pakistan has suffered significant losses, with at least 31 people reportedly killed and dozens injured due to airstrikes and cross-border exchanges since the beginning of the week. Meanwhile, India reported 16 fatalities, including women and children, resulting from purported Pakistani fire.
In the midst of these tensions, both nations have made numerous accusations against each other. While India has pointed fingers at the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for recent attacks, Pakistan maintains its innocence and disputes claims of any involvement from its nationals.
The political climate is charged, with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowing retaliation for the casualties inflicted by India. He claimed that Pakistan successfully downed five Indian fighter jets, a statement that India has neither affirmed nor denied.
As the situation continues to evolve, both local and international observers remain on high alert, hoping for a de-escalation of hostilities that could have far-reaching implications for stability in the region.