The Pakistan Army has been noted moving troops towards forward positions, as reported during a press briefing by Indian officials on Saturday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, Colonel Sophia Qureshi, and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh elaborated on the situation along the Western Border, indicating that the offensive appears designed to escalate tensions. The Indian armed forces maintain a high level of operational readiness and have effectively countered all hostile actions, emphasizing their commitment to non-escalation, contingent upon reciprocation from Pakistan.
Early Saturday morning, Pakistan launched attacks on various airbases in Punjab using high-speed missiles, targeting not only military sites but also medical facilities and schools. Airbases in Udhampur, Pathankot, Bhuj, and Bathinda were among those hit. Wing Commander Vyomika Singh reported limited damage to personnel and equipment at Indian Air Force bases, while Colonel Qureshi stated that a strong response was delivered to counter Pakistan’s aggression.
The Pakistani military has been persistently attacking the western front, employing drones, long-range weapons, loitering munitions, and fighter jets against Indian military sites. Qureshi noted that India neutralized several threats while fending off multiple infiltration attempts by Pakistan across 26 locations, which also led to damage at air force bases in Udhampur, Bhuj, Pathankot, and Bathinda. Despite the provocations, India responded measuredly to maintain the situation.
In a significant escalation, Pakistan has undertaken a series of drone attacks targeting both military and civilian sectors across multiple Indian border states. These assaults, which commenced late Friday night and continued into the early hours of Saturday, triggered immediate defensive actions from Indian forces and prompted a review from Pakistan’s top nuclear command. India’s Ministry of Defence reported that 26 locations in states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat were struck, with key areas like Baramulla, Srinagar, Pathankot, Jaisalmer, and Bhuj being among the targets, some of which host critical military installations.
As bomb sirens echoed through the night, fear and urgency gripped local populations, compounded by enforced blackouts that darkened power grids in affected areas. The developing situation underscores the escalated hostilities between India and Pakistan, with both nations on high alert amid accusations of aggressive tactics and military provocations.
The government of India has dismissed claims made by Pakistan alleging that Indian military airbases have been destroyed and that cyber attacks have targeted online systems. The Indian Defence Ministry reported successful interceptions by Indian forces of several drones aimed at damaging crucial infrastructure such as airbases and airports. However, one attack in Ferozpur district, Punjab, resulted in injuries to a family when an armed drone struck a civilian area after dusk, raising alarms over the potential civilian impact of the ongoing hostilities.
This escalation followed India’s announcement of thwarting a recent Pakistani drone and missile offensive aimed at its military facilities. India responded with precise strikes on terror launchpads located across the Line of Control, particularly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, further exacerbating tensions between the two nations.
On Friday night, residents in Srinagar recounted loud explosions and flashes as anti-drone measures were implemented. Some mosques even used loudspeakers to urge locals to extinguish lights and seek shelter, harking back to wartime protocols not witnessed for decades. Additionally, Srinagar airport heightened its alert level in response to perceived aerial threats.
Reports also indicated drone activity and shelling in Udhampur, Nagrota, and Kupwara, in addition to severe artillery exchanges along the International Border, particularly in Jammu’s Suchetgarh, Ramgarh, and Samba sectors.
In reaction to the situation, Pakistan convened an emergency meeting of its National Command Authority, tasked with overseeing the country’s nuclear arsenal, highlighting the seriousness of the unfolding crisis, as reported by news agency Reuters.
The recent hostilities can be traced back to a terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, most of whom were tourists. In response, the Indian government has asserted a firm stance against cross-border terrorism, setting a precedent for a robust and rapid retaliation.
As matters evolve, both nations remain on high alert amidst fears of further escalations. The complex interplay of military actions and potential civilian implications continues to heighten tensions, reflecting the precarious nature of peace in the region.
