LAHORE/NEW DELHI, May 8 — Tensions between Pakistan and India soared to alarming levels as both nations traded accusations over overnight drone and missile attacks, following a deadly missile strike by India on Pakistan in the early hours of Wednesday that killed at least 31 people.”
Escalation Follows Deadly Missile Strikes
The overnight developments mark a significant escalation in hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Just a day earlier, Indian forces launched one of the most aggressive military operations in recent decades, targeting nine separate locations within Pakistan — primarily in the Punjab region. The Pakistani government condemned the attacks as unprovoked aggression, while India maintained the strikes were in response to what it called terrorist threats emanating from across the border.
Pakistan Alleges Drone Incursions
In a press conference held on Thursday, Pakistani military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry accused India of launching more than a dozen drones into Pakistani airspace during the night, targeting areas including Rawalpindi, a city that houses Pakistan’s military headquarters.
According to Gen. Chaudhry, Pakistani air defenses successfully intercepted and shot down a significant number of these drones. He stated that the military had brought down at least 25 drones, though the exact number could rise as investigations continued. One incident reportedly resulted in the death of a civilian in Sindh’s Miano area, and four Pakistani soldiers were said to be injured during a confrontation with a drone.
“The deployment of these drones represents yet another deliberate provocation by India,” said Gen. Chaudhry. “We consider this a blatant intrusion into our airspace and a clear violation of our sovereign rights.”
He added that Pakistan’s forces remain on high alert and are actively monitoring the situation, with debris from downed drones being collected and analyzed.
India Denies Aggression, Alleges Retaliation
Meanwhile, India firmly rejected the accusations from Islamabad, instead asserting that it was Pakistan that initiated further attacks. According to India’s defense ministry, Pakistani forces attempted to launch drone and missile strikes targeting military installations in cities including Amritsar, Chandigarh, and Srinagar.
India’s officials claimed that its air defense systems intercepted all incoming threats and prevented any significant damage. They further stated that they had taken down Pakistani air defense infrastructure over Lahore in a preemptive move to secure their airspace.
India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, responded to the tensions by issuing a stern warning: “If there are attacks on our military assets, India will respond with firmness and clarity. Let there be no doubt.”
Pakistan Denies Launching Attacks on Indian Territory
Contradicting India’s version of events, a senior Pakistani security official stated that no drone or missile strikes had been launched into Indian territory. “These claims are completely baseless,” he said. “We have exercised restraint despite severe provocation. Our response, however, is coming.”
He reiterated that while Pakistan had not yet initiated an official counteroffensive, the military was prepared for all scenarios. The official also dismissed claims of damage to Pakistan’s defense infrastructure, noting that systems in Lahore were fully operational.
Claimed Military Response: Jets Downed
In the aftermath of the cross-border attacks, several senior Pakistani ministers asserted that the country’s air force had shot down five Indian military aircraft during the overnight confrontation. Among those allegedly downed were three Rafale fighter jets — a core component of India’s advanced aerial fleet. While these claims were not independently verified, officials described the move as either a proportionate response to India’s missile barrage or the beginning of a broader counter-strategy. Some ministers cautioned that Pakistan’s full response had not yet been revealed, suggesting further action could follow depending on India’s posture in the coming days.
Security Heightened on Both Sides
The exchange of accusations and cross-border hostility has triggered a widespread security lockdown across both countries. Pakistan suspended all flights from key airports including Karachi, Lahore, and Sialkot until Thursday night, while India shut down over 20 airports in its northern region, with closures expected to last until the weekend.
Pakistan’s Sindh province, which shares a border with India, declared a medical emergency across all health institutions. All hospital personnel were called back to duty as emergency measures were put into effect.
In border cities like Amritsar and others in Rajasthan and Indian Punjab, heightened security drills were carried out, including blackouts and emergency evacuations. Indian forces were reportedly given shoot-on-sight orders for any unidentified aerial or ground threats near the border.
International Concern and Diplomatic Outreach
As the conflict intensifies, diplomatic channels are now under pressure to prevent further deterioration. The foreign minister of Iran arrived in Delhi early Thursday, offering to mediate between the two nations. Shortly after, the Saudi foreign minister also made an unexpected visit to India, meeting with top officials to discuss the crisis.
Following reports of drone blasts and possible airspace breaches in Lahore, the U.S. consulate advised its staff to remain indoors and take shelter as a safety precaution.
Leadership and Response Strategy in Pakistan
During a late-night speech, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pledged a strong response, stating that every drop of blood shed by the nation’s martyrs would be avenged. However, he did not provide specific details on how Pakistan intended to respond.
Many analysts believe the next move lies with Pakistan’s powerful military leadership, particularly Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir. As public pressure mounts, expectations are high for a robust reply from the military establishment.
Disputed Narratives and Continued Shelling
While India insisted that its strikes only targeted terrorist infrastructure, not military assets, Pakistan denied the existence of any such camps in the attacked areas. Islamabad maintains that civilians bore the brunt of India’s strikes.
Fighting also intensified in the disputed Kashmir region, where cross-border shelling reportedly killed at least 11 civilians and one Indian soldier. Thousands have been evacuated from border villages amid growing fears of a larger conflict.
Conclusion
As both sides hold firm to their narratives, the potential for further escalation looms. With civilian lives already lost and diplomatic warnings issued, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether cooler heads will prevail — or whether the region is heading toward an even more dangerous confrontation.