India and Pakistan, two nuclear-armed neighbors, have entered the third consecutive day of military clashes, accusing each other of drone and artillery attacks. Observers say this is the most intense military standoff since the 1999 Kargil War, according to Reuters.
The Indian Army reported that Pakistani forces repeatedly violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting retaliatory drone strikes. A military statement warned that any provocation would be met with a firm response.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed India’s claims as “baseless and misleading,” stating that Pakistan has taken only defensive measures. Local officials in Pakistan-administered Kashmir reported overnight shelling that killed five people, including a child, and injured 29. India’s Ministry of Defense has not commented on the matter.
A student from Sher-e-Kashmir University in Jammu, Ansab, described the panic caused by the explosions at 4 a.m., noting that windows trembled and the air was filled with smoke and haze.
India’s Border Security Force (BSF) reported a major infiltration attempt in the Samba region of Kashmir, which was thwarted on Thursday night. Heavy shelling was also reported in the Uri sector on Friday, where several homes caught fire, killing one woman and injuring three others.
In Punjab’s border city of Amritsar, sirens were sounded for an hour on Friday, and residents were advised to stay indoors. Tourists began fleeing the city in fear. A British tourist reported being unable to sleep due to noise, sirens, and power outages, prompting them to leave.
In Gujarat’s Bhuj city, authorities issued alerts and kept buses on standby. Schools and coaching centers in Rajasthan’s Bikaner region were closed, and residents of border villages were advised to move to relatives’ homes or designated government shelters.
The situation has escalated to such a level that the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket tournament has been suspended. A match was called off midway on Thursday, and stadium lights were turned off.
India’s shipping authority has ordered enhanced security at all ports, citing increased threats.
World powers, from the United States to China, have called for de-escalation. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance told Fox News, “We want the tensions to ease quickly, but we have no direct control over these nations.”
Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir is scheduled to visit Pakistan on Friday after meeting India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss counter-terrorism efforts.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated in Parliament that Pakistan is in daily communication with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and China, aiming for a peaceful resolution.
India and Pakistan have had tense relations since gaining independence from British rule in 1947. The two countries have fought three wars over the Kashmir region, with two of them directly centered on the territory.
Analysts say this latest conflict has reached a new level, as Indian strikes now target not only Kashmir but also mainland Pakistan, posing a serious threat to regional stability in South Asia.