What happened today: Escalating tensions between India and Pakistan
India-Pakistan tensions spiral amid drone strikes, diplomatic flurry, and civilian deaths
NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD (MNTV) —India and Pakistan traded heavy fire, drone strikes, and accusations. From the frontlines of the Line of Control to the corridors of international diplomacy, the situation teetered on the edge of wider conflict—despite behind-the-scenes efforts by global powers to restore calm.
What happened today:
- India claims Pakistan hit 15 cities in coordinated overnight strike
India’s Ministry of Defence said military installations in 15 cities across northern and western India were struck by drones and missiles launched from Pakistani territory early Thursday.
Targeted cities included:
- Jammu, Srinagar (J&K)
- Amritsar, Pathankot, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Bhatinda, Chandigarh (Punjab)
- Uttarlai (Rajasthan)
- Bhuj (Gujarat)
Indian air defence systems were activated, reportedly intercepting several drones and missiles. Authorities are examining debris to verify origins. No military casualties have been confirmed so far, but reports of property damage and panic in urban areas have surfaced.
- Pakistan denies involvement, calls Indian claims “staged drama”
Pakistan flatly denied launching any such strikes. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called India’s claims “fabricated” and “dangerous,” accusing New Delhi of orchestrating a false narrative for domestic optics and international sympathy.
Pakistan’s military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry echoed the denial, stating that radar logs and ground intel confirmed no cross-border operations from Pakistan. “This is a diversionary tactic. If provoked, we will respond—on our terms,” he said.
- Drone wars: Pakistan downs 25 Indian UAVs
Pakistan’s military reported downing 25 Indian drones, including in Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Multan.
One civilian was reported dead and five others injured.
The drones included loitering munitions reportedly similar to Israeli-made Harop drones, known for their ability to hunt and destroy radar and mobile targets.
- Tense night in Jammu: Sirens, blackout
Around 9:00 p.m. local time, multiple explosions shook Jammu, with locals sharing videos of interceptor missiles lighting up the night sky.
Mobile networks were down in parts of the city, hampering communication as sirens wailed and air defence units scrambled to respond.
Officials confirmed successful interceptions of at least three incoming threats.
- Line of Control ablaze: Casualties, shelling continues
Artillery exchanges across the LoC intensified, displacing entire villages on both sides.
- India reported 16 civilian deaths and widespread destruction in Kupwara and Poonch sectors.
- Pakistan claimed 40–50 Indian soldiers killed, a number India has not acknowledged.
- Diplomatic efforts: Saudi and Iranian ministers in Delhi
Iran’s Abbas Araghchi and Saudi Arabia’s Adel al-Jubeir met separately with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.
The urgent talks were aimed at defusing tensions and preventing the crisis from spiralling out of control. The diplomats later issued a joint appeal for de-escalation, warning of broader regional instability.
- US Calls for restraint
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a call with Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif, called for calm and dialogue.
Sharif told Rubio that Pakistan’s territorial integrity had been breached, and warned it “will be defended at all costs.”
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Dar confirmed that military-to-military communication channels—including hotlines between DGMOs between India and Pakistan—remain open and are actively being used.
National Security Advisors of two countries also in communication.
- Fallout over Indus Waters Treaty
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri denied any dam targeting, and instead accused Pakistan of shelling a Sikh shrine in Jammu—charges Islamabad rejects.
Where things stand
No confirmed Pakistani retaliation yet—but threats of an inevitable response persist.
- India warns of “swift reprisals” if attacked.
- Civilians on both sides are paying the price as borders grow more volatile.
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