Multiple blasts reported near an international airport in the India-controlled region of Kashmir, according to officials' statements.
Tensions between India and Pakistan on the Kashmir frontier have reached a boiling point, with series of blasts shaking Srinagar International Airport and the Sikh holy city of Amritsar.
The explosions came in the wake of multiple blackouts caused by mysterious projectiles seen over Jammu earlier on a Friday. A military official confirmed the sighting of drones and declared they were being targeted.
The escalation follows a week of escalating hostilities between both countries, fueled by significant conflict in the region.
As the sun set on Friday, the Indian army issued a statement revealing that drones appeared in 26 distinct locations across the nation's western and northwestern regions, from Kashmir and bordering territories to the Arabian Sea's edge.
In a swift response, Indian Air Force officer Vyomika Singh shared that the country responded with drone attacks on designated targets within Pakistan, successfully destroying an air defense system.
The Pakistan Army spokesman countered, stating that India had bombarded important Pakistani military installations such as Noor Khan Airbase, Shorkot Airbase, and Murid Airbase. However, these attacks were intercepted, resulting in no casualties. Earlier, Pakistan alleged that ballistic missiles fired by India struck within Indian territory.
Further events began on a Wednesday morning, as India carried out missile strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered parts of the disputed Kashmir region. These actions were a response to the terror attack in a India-administered section of Kashmir last month, which took the lives of 26 people, primarily Indian tourists.
The killing spree took place in the Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF) initially claimed responsibility for the attack. Subsequently, India accused Pakistan of supporting the attackers, while Pakistan denied any involvement in the incident.
The India-administered cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League, was halted due to rising tensions. Meanwhile, the Pakistan Super League shifted the remainder of the season to the United Arab Emirates.
During a press conference on Friday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the United States remains in constant contact with both India and Pakistan.
Forty-eight individuals have lost their lives since the Wednesday hostilities commenced, according to casualty estimates on both sides, though independently verified data is currently lacking.
- The conflict between India and Pakistan in the Kashmir region has been escalating, with war-and-conflicts in the general news for weeks.
- The escalation resulted in a missile strike by India on designated targets within Pakistan, reportedly destroying an air defense system.
- Pakistan retaliated by bombarding important military installations such as Noor Khan Airbase, Shorkot Airbase, and Murid Airbase, but these attacks were intercepted.
- Dialog between the two nations seems challenging as further episodes of conflict, like the drone attacks, continue, amidst the backdrop of ongoing politics.
- Amidst the ongoing war and conflict, global news outlets and organizations are closely monitoring the situation in kashmir and other affected regions, reporting on the casualties and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation.
