Cross-border chaos: India-Pakistan conflict ignites in the dark

In the late hours of Tuesday night, India, under "Operation Sindoor," launched missile strikes on nine targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. 

The Indian military stated that these attacks were "precise strikes" on "terrorist bases" in Pakistan, emphasizing that none of the strikes targeted Pakistani military installations. The Indian government also claimed that the operation was conducted with "high discipline" in target selection and execution.

In response, Pakistan’s Defense Minister called India’s claim of targeting terrorist bases "false," asserting that all targeted sites were civilian areas. He further stated that India conducted these attacks using long-range missiles from within its own airspace, without entering Pakistani airspace.

Following the attacks, the Pakistani government declared a state of emergency in Punjab province. Pakistan’s President described the attacks as a "cowardly assault" and emphasized that the country has the full right to respond forcefully to this military aggression. He added that the Pakistani nation stands firmly behind its armed forces, with public morale at its peak.

In retaliation, the Pakistani military targeted locations in Indian-controlled Kashmir. The Indian military reported that three people were killed in Pakistan’s attacks on areas in Kashmir under its control.

On April 22, 2025, a deadly attack in the Pahalgam region of Indian-controlled Kashmir killed 26 people, mostly Hindu tourists. The "Resistance Front," a branch of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. India accused Pakistan of supporting the group, an allegation Islamabad denied.

Following the incident, India took reciprocal diplomatic and military measures, including expelling Pakistani diplomats, suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, and closing its borders with Pakistan. Pakistan responded with countermeasures, such as suspending the Shimla Agreement and closing its airspace to Indian aircraft.

You can follow the latest news regarding the India-Pakistan conflict for further updates...

Killing of 5 Pakistanis amid border clashes with India

As India escalates drone attacks on Pakistan, clashes between the two nations along the Kashmir border have intensified.

Pakistani media reported today that five civilians were killed due to gunfire and artillery attacks by Indian forces.

Additionally, Pakistan's air defense reportedly shot down six Israeli-made drones launched from India toward various regions of Pakistan, bringing the total number of downed Indian drones since yesterday to 35.

Pakistan army warns of potential response to India

General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistan Army, rejected recent Indian allegations against Pakistan and warned that if Pakistan decides to take military action, the consequences would be far-reaching.

He stated, "If Pakistan attacks India at a time and place of its choosing, the entire world will know, and its impact will be felt everywhere."

U.S. Vice President: India-Pakistan conflict is not our concern

J.D. Vance, U.S. Vice President, who recently visited India, emphasized neutrality amid escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, stating that the conflict between these two regional nuclear powers does not concern the United States.

In an interview with Fox News, Vance said, "We want de-escalation as soon as possible, but we cannot control these two countries."

Deployment of S-400 Systems in India

The Indian government announced that the Russian-made S-400 air defense system and Rafale fighter jets equipped with Scalp missiles, integrated into its military in recent years, played a central role in the recent operation dubbed "Sundar" and ongoing clashes with Pakistan.

According to Indian state media, these systems performed successfully during Pakistan's large-scale attack on the night of May 8-9, 2025, which involved drones and other munitions.

Official Indian sources claim that none of the projectiles launched by Pakistan hit their targets, as they were intercepted by the S-400 and Akash air defense systems.

India: We targeted Pakistan’s air defense systems

India announced that its military has struck Pakistan’s air defense systems at multiple locations.

In a statement published on Thursday in Hindustan Times, the Indian government stated: “This morning, Indian armed forces targeted radar and air defense systems of Pakistan at several locations.”

The statement added that “New Delhi’s response was in the same domain and with the same intensity as Islamabad’s actions, and according to reliable information, the air defense system in Lahore has been disabled.”

The statement further noted that Pakistan has escalated its unprovoked shelling along the Line of Control (LoC), using mortars and heavy artillery in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian Defense Minister: 100 terrorists killed in attacks on Pakistan

India’s Defense Minister, referring to the country’s military operations in Pakistan, announced that “at least 100 terrorists were killed in targeted attacks by the Indian army.”

According to Hindustan Times, Rajnath Singh, speaking on Thursday at a meeting with leaders of political parties in the Indian Parliament, stated: “India has no intention of escalating tensions, but if Pakistan takes action, we will not back down.”

He added: “During the ‘Sindoor’ military operation in Pakistan, at least 100 terrorists were killed.”

Pakistan Army: We shot down 25 Israeli-made drones

The Pakistani army announced that its air defense systems shot down 25 Israeli-made drones launched from India into various parts of Pakistan between midnight and Thursday.

The Indian drones, known as “Harop” and manufactured by Israel, were neutralized using both soft (technical) and hard (weapon-based) countermeasures in various regions of Pakistan.

The Pakistani army added that debris from the Israeli-made “Harop” drones is being collected from different areas across Pakistan.

It further stated that Pakistan’s armed forces are delivering a strong response to India and thwarting all its destructive plans.

Explosions reported in Lahore, Pakistan

Amid escalating tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad, the sound of multiple explosions was heard in Lahore, Pakistan, on Thursday.

Sama TV, citing Pakistani police sources, reported that several explosions were heard in Lahore near Walton Airport.

According to the report, an Indian drone was shot down near the airport.

Pakistan’s defense minister warns of consequences of escalating conflicts with India

Pakistan’s Defense Minister issued a warning regarding the consequences of escalating conflicts with India.

The minister cautioned that if India insists on expanding the conflicts, the likelihood of a nuclear confrontation between the two countries will increase, with the consequences falling on New Delhi.

In an interview with Pakistan’s Geo News, Khawaja Muhammad Asif warned that any Indian actions aimed at prolonging the conflicts would heighten the risk of a nuclear war between the two nations. He stated that in the event of any nuclear war, the consequences and responsibility would entirely lie with India.

These remarks by Pakistan’s Defense Minister come as the country’s National Security Committee has granted its armed forces full operational authority to respond to India’s missile attacks.

Evacuation of border areas in Jammu and Kashmir begins

As military tensions between India and Pakistan escalate, local authorities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir have ordered the evacuation of several border regions.

According to RIA Novosti, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, announced that several areas near the Pakistan border are being evacuated due to the intensifying clashes.

He emphasized that the local government is monitoring the situation around the clock and is fully prepared for any potential developments.

In a social media post, Sinha wrote: "The situation in the border areas of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been thoroughly assessed, and I have directed district administrators to relocate residents of vulnerable areas to safe locations. Accommodation, food, medical care, and transportation facilities will be provided for them."

The Indian official also added that the safety and well-being of all citizens are the top priority, and all necessary measures will be taken in this regard.

UN team visits site of attack in Kashmir

A United Nations team visited a location in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, which Islamabad claims was the site of Indian airstrikes.

According to the French newspaper Le Parisien, the team was dispatched to Muzaffarabad, where Pakistan reported that a mosque was attacked early Wednesday morning.
The Pakistani military also stated that India’s attacks caused damage to the Neelum-Jhelum Hydropower Dam, which is used for electricity generation in Kashmir.

Asia-Europe flights disrupted

Reuters reported that due to the escalation of military conflicts between India and Pakistan, several Asian airlines announced on Wednesday that they have canceled or rerouted their flights to and from Europe.

The report indicates that Taiwan's EVA Air announced it would reroute its Europe-bound flights through alternative air corridors to maintain safety. Accordingly, one of the airline’s flights destined for Vienna was redirected back to Taipei, and another flight from Taipei to Milan was diverted to Vienna for refueling.

Similarly, China Airlines announced the activation of its emergency plan, stating that it has implemented a series of measures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew. The airline canceled its direct Wednesday flight from Taipei to London.

Quoting Korean Air, the British outlet reported that flights from Seoul-Incheon to Dubai have been rerouted starting Wednesday, using a new southern route through Myanmar, Bangladesh, and India to avoid Pakistani airspace.

Thai Airways also stated that the tensions between India and Pakistan have impacted its flight schedule. The airline will operate its Wednesday morning flights to Europe and South Asia via new routes, with potential delays for some flights.

According to reports, some European flights, including Lufthansa’s service from Delhi to Frankfurt, have also rerouted toward the Indian Ocean.

Additionally, India’s PTI news agency, citing sources, reported that over 200 flights have been canceled, and at least 18 airports, including Srinagar, have been temporarily closed.

Rising death toll from India's attack on Pakistani soil

According to official sources, the death toll from India's recent attacks on Pakistani territory has risen to 26 killed and 46 injured.

General Ahmed Sharif, spokesperson for the Pakistani military, announced that following Indian military strikes on six locations inside Pakistan, the number of fatalities has reached 26. He stated that all victims of the attack were civilians.

General Sharif added: "Thirteen of the deceased, including two three-year-old children, were killed when a missile struck the Subhan Allah Mosque in the Ahmadpur Sharqia area."

Tel Aviv announces support for New Delhi in recent India-Pakistan tensions

The Israeli ambassador in New Delhi expressed support for India in its recent conflict with Pakistan, stating, "We support India's right to defend itself against terrorism."

Protests in Hyderabad, Pakistan, against India’s airstrike

Following India’s attack on Pakistani territory last night, people in Hyderabad, Pakistan, protested against India and its Prime Minister, Narendra Modi.

Guterres urges India and Pakistan to exercise restraint

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing concern over India’s missile strikes on Pakistan, called on both nations to exercise restraint. The UN spokesperson stated in a release: "Guterres is deeply concerned about India’s military operations along the Line of Control and the international border. He calls for maximum military restraint from both countries." The UN Secretary-General added, "The world cannot afford a military confrontation between India and Pakistan."

Closure of schools and universities in Pakistan’s Punjab and India’s Jammu

State authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab and Indian-administered Jammu announced the closure of schools and universities following last night’s clashes between the two countries in the Kashmir region. Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan, said this measure was taken for public safety, and university and college exams would be rescheduled.

Flight cancellations in India

Several Indian airlines announced the cancellation of flights to northern regions of the country, including Indian-administered Kashmir and states such as Rajasthan and Punjab. SpiceJet stated that the closure of airports in Dharamshala, Leh, Jammu, Srinagar, and Amritsar has led to the suspension of flights to these areas. IndiGo also announced on X that it has halted flights to these destinations until further notice. Air India, while canceling flights to cities including Jammu, Srinagar, Amritsar, Jodhpur, and Chandigarh until Wednesday noon, also rerouted two international flights to Amritsar and Delhi.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister: Tensions will end if India halts attacks

Pakistan’s Defense Minister stated in an interview that if India ceases its "Operation Sindoor," military tensions will come to an end.

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif announced in an interview that if New Delhi halts "Operation Sindoor" and other aggressive actions, Pakistan will not escalate tensions in the conflict with India.

TASS reported that Asif told Bloomberg: "For the past two weeks, we have consistently said that we will never initiate any hostile actions against India. However, if we are attacked, we will respond. If India pulls back, we will certainly put an end to these tensions."