Pakistan’s military has reported shooting down 25 Indian drones that entered its airspace, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The incidents occurred after India launched air raids targeting multiple locations within Pakistan. The ongoing conflict has raised fears of further escalation in the region.
Drone Attacks Target Major Pakistani Cities
On Thursday, Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s military, confirmed that Indian-made Israeli Harop drones were used to strike targets in major Pakistani cities such as Karachi and Lahore. Chaudhry stated that Indian drones continue to infiltrate Pakistani airspace, warning that India would face consequences for what he described as naked aggression.
The military also reported casualties, including one civilian who was killed and four Pakistani soldiers who were wounded as a result of the drone strikes.
India Strikes Back: Military Targets Hit
In response, India’s military announced that it had neutralized attempts by Pakistan to target military sites in India’s northern and western regions. According to India’s Ministry of Defence, the strikes, which took place Wednesday night and early Thursday, focused on air defense systems in Pakistan. The Indian forces claimed that 16 Pakistani nationals were killed in the exchanges.
These latest confrontations follow a series of strikes India had launched earlier in the week, targeting what it called terrorist infrastructure within Pakistan’s borders. Pakistan responded by accusing India of killing at least 31 civilians in those attacks.
Tensions Escalate Following Deadly Kashmir Attack
The escalation comes just two weeks after a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir killed 26 people. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack, a charge that Islamabad strongly denies. This attack has served as a catalyst for the recent surge in violence between the two countries.
Ground Situation Along the Line of Control
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in New Delhi, Neha Poonia, provided an update from the region, describing the situation along the Line of Control (LoC)—the de facto border between India and Pakistan in Kashmir—as rapidly deteriorating. She stated that there has been a significant increase in military engagements, and civilian casualties have also been mounting.
The Indian army reported that 13 civilians had been killed, 59 others were injured, and one soldier lost his life in the crossfire. The violence has forced many residents in villages near the LoC to flee or seek shelter in bunkers, leading to what Poonia described as unprecedented civilian movement.
Impact on Air Travel and Commercial Activity
In response to the escalating conflict, India has closed 20 airports across its northern regions until at least May 10. This has significantly disrupted both travel and commercial activities in the area. Pakistan has also been affected, with Karachi’s airport temporarily closed until 6 p.m. (13:00 GMT), while Islamabad and Lahore airports experienced brief shutdowns for operational reasons.
The Ongoing Conflict: A Delicate Balance
The situation remains tense as both India and Pakistan continue to exchange military strikes. The international community is watching closely, urging both sides to de-escalate and seek peaceful solutions to their longstanding disputes. With both nations possessing nuclear capabilities, the risk of a broader conflict remains a serious concern.
