Military forces from India and Pakistan engaged in reciprocal drone and missile attacks early Saturday, marking a sharp escalation in tensions along their contentious western border and the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kashmir region. Indian officials accused Pakistan of initiating hostilities through airspace violations and targeting civilian areas, while admitting retaliatory airstrikes.
Wing Commander Vyomika Singh of the Indian Air Force stated during a media briefing that Pakistani forces utilized unmanned combat drones, long-range weapons, and fighter jets in \"continued provocations\" across more than 26 locations. \"High-speed missile attacks were detected at several Indian air bases in Punjab after midnight local time,\" Singh added, confirming India\u2019s precision counterstrikes on Pakistani military installations.
Debris from drones and missiles was reported in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, and Indian-controlled Kashmir. Residents in Srinagar and Jammu described hearing explosions overnight, with similar accounts emerging from border areas in Punjab.
The clashes underscore fragile relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors, who have seen sporadic flare-ups over Kashmir since 2019. Regional analysts warn that such exchanges risk destabilizing broader security dynamics in South Asia.
