New Delhi: Tensions between India and Pakistan increased sharply after multiple explosions and drone attacks were reported in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab early on Saturday morning. Additional deputy commissioner of Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thapa, died after being critically injured in Pakistani shelling in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, officials confirmed.
These developments came two days after India carried out airstrikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which had cross-border links.
Blasts heard near Srinagar airport, Pathankot
In Srinagar, several loud blasts were heard near important locations, including the airport, during the early hours of Saturday. Sirens were activated soon after the explosions, and authorities cut power in the city and many other areas of the Kashmir valley as a safety measure. Similar explosion sounds were also reported in the Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir.
In Pathankot, Punjab, residents reported hearing explosion-like sounds near the airbase around 5 am. Officials believed these sounds were linked to a drone attack attempt by Pakistan, which was successfully stopped. Another major drone attack in Uri was also reportedly foiled by security forces.
Friday night saw multiple drone intrusions from Pakistan in Punjab, targeting districts like Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, and Amritsar. In Ferozepur’s Khai Pheme Ke village, three members of a family were injured after debris from a downed drone landed on their home, sparking a fire that also destroyed a car.
To manage the situation and prevent further risks, authorities enforced blackouts in sensitive areas, including Pathankot. People were asked to stay indoors and remain alert.
Pakistan alleges Indian strikes on its airbases
At around 4 am on Saturday, Pakistan’s military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry held a brief press conference claiming that three of its airbases – Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Shorkot) – were targeted by Indian missiles and drones. He said that while several missiles were intercepted, Pakistan would respond to what he described as “Indian aggression.”
Shortly after, Pakistan’s state-run media claimed that Pakistan had launched a counterattack. The Pakistan Airport Authority also announced that its airspace would remain closed for all air traffic from 3.15 am to 12 noon.
India responds to continued provocations
India’s Ministry of Defence confirmed that attempts by Pakistan to target vital Indian installations — including airports and air bases — were successfully stopped. On Thursday evening, Indian air defence units had already intercepted at least eight missiles fired by Pakistan at border areas in Jammu, including near the Jammu airport.
Indian government had earlier launched ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, targeting nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. These strikes followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed, mostly tourists.
