The conflict between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India intensified on Saturday as Pakistan launched counterattacks in retaliation for airstrikes that targeted three of its airbases. The violence, which has been escalating since Wednesday, has pushed the two countries closer to full-scale war, with both sides exchanging missile, drone, and artillery fire along the disputed Kashmir border.
The latest round of fighting was triggered by an attack on India’s side of Kashmir that killed 26 tourists, mostly Hindu men. India accused Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militants of carrying out the attack, a claim Pakistan denies, calling for an independent investigation. In response, India launched airstrikes on Pakistani soil, which resulted in significant casualties, particularly among civilians in Pakistan. The Pakistani military has vowed revenge, while accusing India of escalating the conflict recklessly.
Pakistan’s military spokesman, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, confirmed that airstrikes from India targeted several airbases in Pakistan, including the strategic Nur Khan Air Base near Rawalpindi. Although the majority of missiles were intercepted, several explosions were heard in Islamabad. The attack on the airbase occurred shortly after a high-profile Saudi official departed from the facility, adding a layer of international concern.
In retaliation, Pakistan launched drone strikes and other military operations against Indian positions, with the Indian army reporting multiple Pakistani drones over military sites. Pakistani sources denied responsibility for the drone strikes and claimed that India had bombed its own territory in Amritsar. Both sides have also accused each other of unprovoked artillery shelling, resulting in civilian casualties on both sides.
The conflict has already claimed over 50 lives, with significant disruptions in the region. Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars over Kashmir, a region both claim in full but administer separately. The recent escalation is the worst in decades, and international calls for restraint have been mounting. The G7 nations urged both countries to deescalate, while the United States has offered to mediate talks between the two sides.
The violence has also disrupted international travel, with airlines rerouting flights and closing airports in the affected areas. Schools near the border have been closed, impacting millions of children across both countries.
The situation remains volatile, with both sides preparing for further conflict as world leaders urge a return to dialogue before the situation deteriorates further.