**India-Pakistan Tensions Escalate with Missile Strikes**
In a significant escalation of hostilities, Pakistan launched missile attacks targeting strategic locations in India, prompting a swift retaliatory response from Indian forces. The situation intensified overnight as both nations engaged in military actions, with Pakistan closing its airspace until noon today.
On Friday, Pakistan deployed drones aimed at military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and other regions within India. In retaliation, India successfully neutralized a series of missile and drone threats aimed at 26 locations across the country, from Jammu and Kashmir to Gujarat. The Indian Ministry of Defence reported that attempts to strike critical infrastructure, including airports and air bases, were effectively thwarted.
Indian forces targeted four key Pakistani airbases, inflicting substantial damage on military assets. The airbases hit included Noor Khan in Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal, and Rafiqui in Shorkot. Reports indicate that the last flight in Pakistani airspace, a Pakistan International Airlines flight bound for Peshawar, was forced to hover over Quetta due to the ongoing conflict. Explosions were also reported in major cities, including Islamabad and Lahore.
During the conflict, Pakistan fired a Fateh-1 long-range missile aimed at Indian positions. However, Indian Air Defence Systems successfully intercepted and destroyed the missile in the Western Sector. A comprehensive battle assessment is expected to be released following a briefing from the Ministry of External Affairs.
In response to multiple drone incursions from Pakistan, India conducted retaliatory strikes in the Neelam Valley and Sialkot regions of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India’s advanced air defence systems, including the S-400 and Akashteer, have proven effective in countering these drone threats.
The conflict escalated further with heavy shelling reported in Naushera, starting around 5 am, and ongoing artillery exchanges near Srinagar. Tragically, the Additional District Development Commissioner of Rajouri, Raj Kumar Thappa, was killed due to Pakistani shelling, prompting expressions of grief from Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The tensions between India and Pakistan have surged following recent precision strikes by Indian armed forces targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan, marking a critical moment in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
**FAQ**
**What triggered the recent escalation between India and Pakistan?**
The escalation was triggered by missile and drone attacks launched by Pakistan targeting Indian military installations, prompting a strong retaliatory response from India.
