India and Pakistan Clash Over Kashmir Amid Escalating Tensions

New Delhi, India — Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated on Thursday as Pakistani authorities accused India of “serious provocation” following a series of military clashes in the disputed Kashmir region. The conflict intensified after a recent terrorist attack on Indian tourists that sparked a cross-border crisis.

India’s Ministry of Defense released a statement claiming a drone strike was a response to Pakistani forces firing missiles and drones at Indian military installations overnight. Meanwhile, Pakistani officials reported that India launched an attack with at least 13 drones, of which they claimed all but one were intercepted by Pakistan’s military. One civilian was killed and multiple troops were injured in the strikes.

Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the spokesman for the Pakistani Army, condemned the Indian drone strike as a “blatant military act of aggression,” asserting that Pakistan successfully neutralized 12 of the 13 drones in various locations, including Lahore and Karachi. He emphasized the armed forces remain on high alert amid ongoing threats.

In response, India’s Ministry of Defense stated it had not targeted any military sites in Pakistan and labeled its actions as proportionate to the Pakistani offensive. They accused Pakistan of attempting to engage military targets in Northern and Western India using drones and missiles.

The situation deteriorated further on Tuesday when India struck nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, killing over 100 individuals identified by India as terrorists. India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh stated that these strikes represent the continuation of “Operation Sindoor,” launched in response to an April terror attack.

The U.S. State Department urged personnel at its Lahore consulate to shelter in place due to reports of drone explosions in the region, while advising American citizens in active conflict areas to evacuate if possible.

The increasing military actions have raised alarms in the international community, urging for calm and dialogue to de-escalate the situation. Observers worry that continued exchanges could lead both nations, armed with nuclear capabilities, toward a humanitarian disaster.

On the ground in Kashmir, residents have described the chaos, with reports of shelling causing panic. Many have sought refuge in safer areas as military clashes continue aggressively.

In a concerning move, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced the postponement of a Pakistan Super League match in Rawalpindi amid fears of further violence.