Pakistan has launched retaliatory airstrikes on India following accusations that Indian fighter jets targeted three Pakistani military bases in a major escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
“India has committed naked aggression by attacking our Nur Khan, Murid, and Shorkot bases with missiles,” said military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in a televised statement early Saturday. He confirmed that Pakistan had initiated a counteroffensive, dubbed Operation Bunyan Ul Marsoos—an Arabic phrase meaning “wall of lead.”
According to Pakistani officials, targets included the Pathankot airbase in Punjab and Udhampur air force base in Indian-administered Kashmir. Explosions were also reported in Srinagar, Kashmir’s main city.
India’s Ministry of Defence responded with a statement saying its armed forces remained on high alert and were actively countering aerial threats using drone interception systems.
Chaudhry claimed India had fired six ballistic missiles from across the Punjab border, most of which were intercepted by Pakistani air defenses. One of the targeted locations, Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, lies just 10 kilometers from Islamabad, triggering widespread panic among residents.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames and thick smoke rising near Nur Khan base, with locals reporting loud blasts that jolted them from sleep. “It was terrifying—people ran into the streets,” one resident said.
The airspace over Pakistan has since been closed.
This marks the most severe escalation between India and Pakistan in years. Tensions have been mounting since Wednesday, when Indian missile strikes hit nine sites in Pakistan, killing 31 people. Those strikes were in response to an earlier militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 25 Hindu tourists and a guide dead—an attack India alleged was backed by Pakistan.
On Friday night, India accused Pakistan of launching drone strikes on 26 locations across Punjab and Kashmir. Three civilians were injured in Punjab’s Ferozepur district, according to police. Explosions were also reported near Srinagar airport.
India said it had intercepted hundreds of Pakistani drones launched in two waves—first on Thursday evening, and again before dawn on Friday—across Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat. In retaliation, India launched four drone strikes on Pakistani military infrastructure.
India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, condemned what he called a new low: the alleged targeting of religious sites, including a Sikh gurdwara and Christian churches.
Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, denied launching any offensive operations inside Indian territory. However, a Pakistani security source suggested Thursday’s drone activity was merely a prelude. “When we hit back, everyone will know,” the official said.
Pakistan’s military later disclosed that during Wednesday’s attacks, over 100 Pakistani aircraft were scrambled in response to Indian jets operating from their own airspace. An hour-long aerial dogfight reportedly ensued, with Pakistan claiming to have downed five Indian fighter jets, including at least one French-made Rafale.
India has not confirmed the losses, but wreckage of at least three aircraft was reportedly seen in Kashmir and Punjab.
“We will not de-escalate,” said Chaudhry. “With the damage India caused on our side, they must be made to feel the impact. So far we have defended ourselves—now, it’s our turn to respond.”