Islamabad/New Delhi – Tensions between Pakistan and India have sharply escalated following a series of drone strikes, cross-border artillery exchanges, and deadly military operations that have left dozens dead on both sides of the disputed Kashmir region.
Pakistan’s military claims to have shot down 25 Indian drones that allegedly violated its airspace in recent days. Meanwhile, India says it has successfully intercepted a Pakistani drone and missile attack targeting its military positions.
The situation intensified after Pakistan accused India of carrying out a deadly strike on Punjab province and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing at least 31 people and wounding dozens more. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, stating, “We will avenge the blood of our innocent martyrs.”
On the other side, India reported 13 casualties and several injuries in Indian-administered Kashmir as a result of Pakistani shelling. According to Indian authorities, the offensive, dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” was aimed at dismantling what it described as “terrorist infrastructure.”
Pakistan has denied these claims, stating that the Indian missiles struck mosques and residential areas, labeling the action a “blatant act of war” that targeted civilians.
Heavy artillery fire has continued along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Indian- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, raising fears of a broader military conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The latest escalation follows a deadly attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir, which killed several people. India blamed the attack on Pakistani-backed militants—an accusation Islamabad has firmly denied.
As both nations trade accusations and casualties mount, international observers are urging restraint, warning that continued escalation could have catastrophic consequences in the volatile region.