India reportedly announced on Thursday that it intercepted missiles and drones launched by Pakistan, aimed at military installations within its territory.
This escalation follows heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations, which have been simmering since militants killed tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir last month.
India’s Defense Ministry reported on social media platform X that there were no casualties or damage from the intercepted attacks.
In response, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that Pakistan had not initiated any attacks in the region. Both countries accused each other of conducting drone strikes against military targets.
India claimed it targeted Pakistani air-defense radar systems as a response to the missile and drone threats, which were successfully repelled by its air defenses.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army spokesman accused India of using Harop drones to strike Pakistani soldiers, resulting in at least three deaths and four injuries from Indian drone strikes. One drone reportedly struck the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s army, criticized India for what he described as “war hysteria,” questioning the authenticity of India’s claims regarding attacks.
He urged the Indian government to move away from exaggeration and confront reality.
Tensions have escalated significantly since New Delhi attributed last month’s militant attack in Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists, to Pakistan, a claim Pakistan denies.
Despite the recent violence, both nations seem to be calibrating their responses to avoid a full-scale conflict.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that their actions have not aimed to escalate tensions but rather respond to provocations.
He noted that shelling from Pakistan had resulted in 16 deaths and 59 injuries on the Indian side, emphasizing that India’s recent strikes were carefully targeted to avoid collateral damage.
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