India

Airbases attacked on both sides of the Line of Control in Kashmir

Authorities announce temporary closure of airports across north, west India

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across the country’s north and west for all civil flight operations.

The closures will be in effect from May 9-14 and impacted airports span the Indian states of Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat, as well as Indian-administered Kashmir.

More on huge explosion heard in Indian-administered Kashmir

Journalist Umar Mehraj, who is reporting from Srinagar, told Al Jazeera that at approximately 5:45am local time (23:45 GMT), residents heard a loud explosion in the Indian-administered Kashmir near the Line of Control (LoC).

“It is unclear whether the strike was fired by Pakistan,” he said, but added that the explosion was “louder and more intense” than previously reported blasts on Friday.

“This is one of the most intense clashes we have seen in recent years,” he said.

Mehraj also reported of power outages and the blaring of air raid sirens in the area following the explosion.

Chief minister of India-administered Kashmir reports death of district official

In a statement posted on X, Omar Abdullah, chief minister of the Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir region, said that Raj Kumar Thapa, a district commissioner in Rajouri town, was killed after his residence was hit by shelling from Pakistan.

“I’ve no words to express my shock and sadness at this terrible loss of life,” Abdullah wrote.

Shelling and intense fire have been reported since early on Saturday along the Line of Control dividing India and Pakistan.

India and Pakistan have not declared war, but ‘effectively at war’: Analyst

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, spoke to Al Jazeera a little earlier about the overnight and early-morning fighting between India and Pakistan.

This is some of what he said.

They have not formally declared war, but they are effectively at war. There have been increasing hostilities, and we see that after this series of strikes from India, Pakistan responded almost instantaneously, and they continue to fight.
    
My understanding is that the air forces are facing off with a dog fight. I think that we are seeing India and Pakistan, two nuclear states, at war for the first time since 1999.
    
The fog of war is very deep this time compared to previous India-Pakistan crises, and one reason for that is because of social media and disinformation and how that affects the fog of war. It does seem that you have a lot of accusations and then denials and so on from each side.
    
So it is really hard to know exactly what is going on. And there has been a lot of allegations about what has been going on in the last few hours, what’s happened and what has not happened. But what we do know is that both countries have attacked each other’s military facilities and that is very escalatory for sure.

Pakistan state media claims Indian websites hacked as part of ‘Bunyan Marsoos’

Earlier, we reported that Pakistan claimed it had hit India’s power grid with a cyberattack launched as part of operation Bunyan Marsoos.

Pakistan’s state-run PTV News now reports that several sensitive Indian online domains have been targeted as part of that cyberattack, including websites belonging to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, the Border Security Forces, and the Crime Research Investigation Agency.

This claim could not be independently verified by Al Jazeera. The Indian government has yet to comment.

First all-out war between nuclear-armed nations?

Charu Kasturi

So far, India and Pakistan have used missiles, drones, diplomacy and information to battle each other since the April 22, 2025 attack on Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, in which 26 civilians were killed.

But as they slide rapidly towards a full-blown military conflict, a dangerous reality stares not just at the 1.6 billion people of the two countries, but at the world: If an all-out war were to break out between them, it would be the first ever between two nuclear-armed nations.

India and Pakistan fought in the icy heights of Kargil in 1999, a year after the South Asian neighbours became nuclear states.

But that was a contained war: Already, in the past three days, India and Pakistan each claim to have hit much wider swaths of the other’s territory than was the case in 1999.

The last full war between India and Pakistan was in 1971, before either had tested a nuclear device.

And though the US and the Soviet Union were locked in the Cold War for more than 40 years, they carefully managed their tensions, including through a series of proxy wars in third countries, to avoid engaging in direct military conflict.

‘Tremendous fighting’ reported in Pakistan’s Sialkot

Osama Bin Javaid, Reporting from Lahore, Pakistan

We are getting reports that in the city of Sialkot, there’s been tremendous fighting near the disputed border.

In the last 48 hours, Pakistan has also reported that it has downed at least 77 drones.

Residents in Lahore and Karachi have also reported hearing sounds of explosions in the last few hours near densely populated areas.

This is where the concern is, that it is happening in civilian areas in both countries.

There have been efforts to find a way to de-escalate the situation, including efforts by the US secretary of state, as well as the Iranian and Saudi Arabian foreign ministers.

But Pakistan said that it has to respond and that it cannot sit silent amid the attack.

Five killed by Pakistani shelling in Jammu region: Reports

Earlier, we reported that Rajouri district commissioner in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir region, Raj Kumar Thappa, was killed after the Pakistani military struck his home as part of a spate of shelling targeting Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu districts.

Citing local officials, The New Indian Express and National Herald newspapers now report that two more people – including a two-year-old child – were killed and three others were injured in the attack on Rajouri town.

A 55-year-old woman was also reportedly killed when a mortar shell struck her home in Kanghra-Galhutta village in Poonch district, while a resident of Bidipur Jatta village was killed in the R S Pura sector of Jammu district.

Al Jazeera has not been able to independently verify these claims. We will bring you more information when we have it.

Indian army denounces ‘blatant escalation’ in Pakistan’s deployment of drones

In a statement posted on X, India’s military said it detected “multiple enemy armed drones” flying over the Khasa Cantt military base in the Indian city of Amritsar early on Saturday.

“The hostile drones were instantly engaged and destroyed by our air defence units,” the statement said.

“Pakistan’s blatant attempt to violate India’s sovereignty and endanger civilians is unacceptable,” it added.

Here’s what you need to know:

Pakistan’s military has launched operation “Bunyan Marsoos”, roughly translated as “Wall of Lead,” carrying out what it described as retaliatory strikes against military sites in India and Indian-administered Kashmir.
    
Targets were said by Pakistan to include an airbase in the Indian city of Udhampur and an airfield in Pathankot, while a BrahMos missile’s storage site in Beas in India’s Punjab province was also targeted, according to Pakistan’s military.
    
Indian media are reporting that Pakistani shelling targeting Rajouri, Poonch and Jammu districts in Indian-administered Kashmir killed at least five people, including a district commissioner and a two-year-old child.
    
Pakistan’s state-run outlet PTV has claimed that India’s power grid was hit by a cyberattack launched as part of Bunyan Marsoos.
    
Pakistan’s military has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the National Command Authority, the top civilian and military body which takes decisions related to the country’s nuclear arsenal.
    
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced the temporary closure of 32 airports across the country’s north and west for all civil flight operations due to the attacks.
    
The Group of Seven (G7) major countries urged restraint from both India and Pakistan and called on them to engage in direct dialogue.

Pakistan Army claims Indian counterparts hit by cyberattack

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

Pakistan’s army has claimed a cyberattack caused disruption to the Indian military’s capabilities, including satellites.

The military claims to have “successfully jammed” Indian military satellites, including navigation and communication satellites, security sources said.

The cyberattack is also said to have targeted Indian government email servers and portals.

The Indian government has yet to comment on the claims.

US Secretary of State Rubio urges de-escalation in call with Pakistan Army chief: Spokesperson

In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir to discuss the latest situation in the region.

“He continued to urge both parties to find ways to de-escalate and offered US assistance in starting constructive talks in order to avoid future conflicts,” Bruce said.

‘Situation is difficult’ but no ground forces mobilised yet

Vivek Katju, a former Indian diplomat and columnist, has spoken to Al Jazeera, saying that for “much too long”, India had been patient with Pakistan. Now it had decided to take action amid an “unacceptable terrorist attack”.

The deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22 was such an attack, he said.

“I will get concerned if ground troops start getting mobilised. Neither country has done that,” Katju said.

“If you go back in history, in 2002 the Indian army was mobilised after the parliament was attacked. And that was a very close thing. But still no hostilities, no ground activities ensued,” he said.

“At the moment, as I said, yes, it’s a difficult situation but clearly the Pakistanis are using the old narrative that terrorism is fine – we practise it – but India should not respond. It should just absorb. That will not happen any more,” he added.

Pakistan has denied involvement in the April 22 attack and called for an independent investigation.

What are Pakistan’s Fateh missiles?

There have been reports that Pakistan has deployed its Fateh missiles during its military operation against India.

Pakistan’s advanced Fateh has two variants known as Fateh-1 and Fateh-2.

According to military experts, the Fateh-1 version is a short-range missile capable of striking targets up to 140km (87 miles) away. The Fateh-2 version is described as “more advanced” and can reach up to 400km (248 miles), according to reports.

Both variants are said to be surface-to-surface missiles.

The word Fateh roughly translates to “conqueror” or “victor” in Arabic.

US mission to Pakistan restricts all diplomatic personnel movement

The US Mission to Pakistan has “restricted all personnel movements” in light of recent attacks by Pakistan and India, adding that it will reassess the situation “this afternoon”.

“The US Department of State continues to remind US citizens of its standing ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory against all travel to areas near the India-Pakistan border and the Line of Control due to terrorism and the potential for armed conflict,” the State Department said in a post on X.

“If US citizens find themselves in an area of active conflict, they should leave if it is safe to do so. If they cannot leave safely, they should shelter in place,” it added.

‘Deep concern’: China offers help to resolve India-Pakistan conflict

Beijing “is closely monitoring the current situation between India and Pakistan”, China’s Foreign Ministry says in a statement, while cautioning against taking actions that could further escalate the tensions.

China urged both countries to prioritise “peace and stability” and observe calm and restraint, and return to the path of resolving issues through peaceful political means.

The ministry added that China remains willing to continue playing a constructive role to resolve the matter.

China is a key player in the region, but is seen as closer to Pakistan, considering its own border tensions with India.

Pakistan says Indian military sites targeted

G7 warns India-Pakistan military escalation a ‘serious threat’ to regional stability

The Group of Seven (G7) major countries urged maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan and called on them to engage in direct dialogue amid rising hostilities between the two nuclear-armed Asian neighbours.

“Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides,” according to the statement, which was posted in the official website of the government of Canada, a member of the G7.

“We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution.”

More on Pakistan’s military operation against India

In a post on X, Al Jazeera’s correspondent Osama Bin Javaid said, according to military sources, Pakistan is attacking “multiple targets” across India.

Pakistan launched its operation right after dawn prayers on Saturday, he said.

Sirens, loud explosion reported in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir

India’s ANI news agency is reporting an explosion in the Dibber area of Udhampur, in Indian-administered Kashmir.

A video clip posted by ANI showed smoke rising over the area where the reported explosion happened.

The report added that sirens were also activated following the incident, which happened just minutes after Pakistan’s military announced the launch of its retaliatory military operation against India.

This report could not be independently verified by Al Jazeera.

Pakistani state media claims India’s power grid hit by cyberattack

State-run outlet PTV News is now reporting that India’s power grid has been hit by a cyberattack launched as part of Operation Bunyan Marsoos.

This claim could not be independently verified by Al Jazeera. The Indian government has yet to comment.

We will bring you more information when we have it.

Pakistan’s operation targets Indian missile storage sites

Osama Bin Javaid, Reporting from Lahore, Pakistan

According to the Pakistani military, there have been multiple assets which have been engaged, including its Fatah-1 medium-range missile system, which is being used to target those military facilities.

Pakistan said it was bound to carry out this attack after India carried out the attack on May 7, 2025 and killed its civilians and citizens.

All those sites that have been targeted are the ones that Pakistan said have been used to put targets on the backs of its citizens; India targeted mosques, places of worship, as well as military sites.

What are BrahMos missiles?

We have been reporting on Pakistan’s operation Bunyan Marsoos, which has targeted several military sites in India and Indian-administered Kashmir over recent hours.

One of the attacks has reportedly hit a BrahMos missile storage site in Beas in India’s Punjab province.

BrahMos missiles are supersonic missiles with a top range of 800km (497 miles) that can be launched from a range of military vehicles, including submarines, ships and fighter aircraft.

They were developed by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Russian rocket design bureau, NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

The name is a portmanteau of the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia.

‘Intense night’ as Pakistan launches strikes on Indian targets

Osama Bin Javaid, Reporting from Lahore, Pakistan

An intense night where multiple Pakistani airbases came under attack.

The Pakistani military says that all of those were thwarted.

But it was not just those aerial attacks. Across the Line of Control in Kashmir, in Sialkot, and across various sectors in Pakistan, there was intense firing and shelling, and in the past few minutes, we’ve heard from other cities as well, including Lahore and Karachi, where multiple explosions have been heard.

In the past few days, Pakistan said it had downed more than 80 drones that were fired into its territory by India.

So, all in all, it appears that all of these tensions that had been ratcheting up have finally culminated in this attack by Pakistan.

Pakistan said that it reserved the right to attack India, citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, because India carried out, according to Pakistani officials, an unprovoked attack and did not provide any proof for its allegations that Pakistan was in any way involved in terrorist activities on Indian soil.

Pakistani PM calls National Command Authority meeting

Pakistan’s military has said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called a meeting of the country’s top civilian and military body, which takes key national security decisions, including those related to the country’s nuclear arsenal.

We will bring you more information when we have it.

Pakistan says Indian military sites targeted

Osama Bin Javaid, Reporting from Lahore, Pakistan

Right after morning prayers here in Pakistan, the Pakistan military launched its counteroffensive against India, codenamed “Bunyan Marsoos”, after a verse in the Quran.

It has targeted a number of sites across India. These are all military sites, including one missile station as well as two airfields.

According to military sources, all of these locations have been involved in targeting Pakistani civilians, places of worship, as well as military installations.

Pakistan had been saying that it did not want to go to this level, but it was forced to because after the May 7, 2025 attacks, Pakistan immediately responded, saying that it reserved the right … to respond and protect its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Islamabad says India’s suspension of Indus Waters Treaty an ‘attack’ on Pakistan’s people

We have reported extensively on the decision of India to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty amid the escalating conflict with neighbouring Pakistan.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan has issued further comments on the development, calling it an “attack” on Pakistan’s people.

The spokesman said that from Islamabad’s perspective, the treaty “remains fully in force and is binding on the parties”, according to a transcript of a briefing published on the ministry’s website.

“There is no provision in the treaty to hold it in abeyance,” the spokesman added.

“Millions of people are dependent on the water being regulated by this treaty. The Indian decision is equivalent to an attack on the people of Pakistan and its economy.”

‘Situation extremely critical’ as Pakistan and India trade heavy fire

Kamal Hyder, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

It was after the attack on the airfield, which shook the city of Rawalpindi in the early hour of the morning – and after several days of sending suicide drones all over Pakistan – the Indian Air Force attacked these airbases with standoff munitions, which means they must have fired these from a distance.

After that, Pakistan launched a massive retaliation.

As we speak, we are being told that drones are still hovering over Delhi.

Pakistan has struck several major front line military bases. They are claiming that they have destroyed a (missile) battery, they’ve destroyed several airfields, that they’ve attacked artillery gun positions.

And the Pakistani prime minister has called a meeting of the National Command Authority. Now this is a step higher because this deals with Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and therefore the situation is extremely critical.

Pakistan launches retaliatory strikes on India

Pakistan Civil Aviation said it is closing its airspace from 03:15am local time (22:15 GMT) on Saturday until 12 noon (07:00 GMT) following the latest attacks.

Explosions and air raid sirens have been heard across Indian-administered Kashmir and India’s Punjab state as the Indian military said drones were sighted in 26 locations and are being “tracked and engaged”.

Three people were reported injured in a drone strike on the Indian city of Ferozepur in Punjab state.

Approximately 50 people have been reported killed so far – 33 of them in Pakistan – since India launched missiles on Wednesday that it said targeted “terrorist camps” in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

A recap of recent developments

As tensions soar between India and Pakistan, misinformation and unconfirmed rumours of attacks are rife on both sides of the Radcliffe Line.

Here’s what you need to know:

Pakistan’s military media wing said Indian fighter jets fired air-to-surface missiles at three of its airbases, but added that “all assets” are safe.
    
In light of the attacks, Pakistan’s Civil Aviation agency has closed its airspace for more than eight hours, with it slated to reopen at 12pm (07:00 GMT) local time on Saturday.
    
The Reuters news agency, citing witnesses, has reported that four blasts have been heard in Amritsar, a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab near the Pakistan border.
    
Multiple blasts have also been heard in Jammu city in Indian-administered Kashmir for a second day, and projectiles have been seen in the night sky after a blackout.
    
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has slammed Pakistan’s “farcical” response after it again denied launching attacks across the border and claimed India fired ballistic missiles that fell on its own territory.

Pakistan launches strikes against India: State media

Citing security sources, Pakistan’s state-run news outlet PTV News has reported that Pakistan has “launched a counter-offensive against Indian aggression”, without providing more details.

More on the reported Indian missile attacks on Pakistani airbases

Pakistani army spokesman Ahmad Sharif said in a televised address that all Pakistani air force assets were safe after he claimed India launched missile attacks on three airbases.

He said that India targeted the Nur Khan airbase in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, Murid airbase in Chakwal city and Rafiqui airbase in the Jhang district in the eastern Punjab province.

Sharif said some of the missiles fired by India also went into Afghanistan, but did not yet provide evidence, which he claimed Pakistan possessed.

He blamed the “blatant acts of aggression” on the “paranoia within the Indian mindset”.

Pakistan responds to Indian attacks, launches Operation ‘Bunyan Marsoos’

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

The military’s media wing – Inter-Services Public Relations – has announced that Pakistan has officially launched its retaliatory strikes against “Indian aggression”, codenamed Operation Bunyan Marsoos.

Military sources have claimed that Pakistan has targeted airbase in Indian city of Udhampur and an air field in Pathankot, both of which were “destroyed”.

Security sources further claimed that a Brahmos missile’s storage site in Beas, in India’s Punjab province, was also hit.

New Delhi airport says ‘changing airspace conditions’ could impact operation

Earlier, we reported about Pakistan’s decision to close the country’s airspace due to the current tensions with India.

Meanwhile, in India, the operator of New Delhi airport said “changing airspace conditions and increased security measures” could affect some flights and length of security checks.

The advisory asked passengers to arrive early and cooperate with airline and security staff at the airport.

What does Pakistan military’s Operation Bunyan Marsoos mean?

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

The operation launched by Pakistan against India is part of a verse from Islam’s holy book, the Quran, which reads: Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure.

Bunyan Marsoos is an Arabic phrase which directly translates into “a structure made of lead”.

In Quranic context, the phrase is used to describe the unity and strength of followers of Islam who are fighting for the cause of Allah.

Indian army postpones press conference due to attacks: Report

We have been reporting on “Bunyan Marsoos”, a military operation launched by Pakistan’s armed forces over the past hour targeting military sites in India and Indian-administered Kashmir.

Pakistani news outlet Samaa TV, citing security sources, now reports that the Indian Army has postponed a planned news conference due to the strikes. The same outlet reports that Pakistan has fired at least three “Fatah 2” missiles at Indian targets.

These claims could not be independently verified by Al Jazeera.

Armed drone injures civilians in Ferozepur, Punjab state: Indian Defence Ministry

Explosions reported near Srinagar airport

09 May, 2025
The news agency Reuters, citing local officials, is reporting that there have been about 10 explosions around Srinagar airport in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Journalist Umar Mehraj told Al Jazeera that “multiple loud explosions were heard … near the Srinagar airport, after people had seen projectiles in the sky”.

“Panic spread among locals,” Meraj said from Indian-administered Kashmir.

IPL not likely to finish season ‘in the near future’

09 May, 2025
Raunak Kapoor, an Indian cricket broadcaster, says that while the Indian Premier League has been suspended for a week due to the tensions with Pakistan, it will likely be delayed for much longer.

“I don’t see them finishing (the season) in the near future,” he told Al Jazeera from Mumbai.

“We are probably looking at a time after the Indian monsoon (to complete the season), in September or October,” he added.

Kapoor said he believes the authorities will act much like they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the IPL was suspended around April and resumed in the UAE around September.

“They will certainly finish the league, whether they can manage it at home or not,” he said.

Clashes along Line of Control resume after hours of relative calm

09 May, 2025
Umar Mehraj, a journalist based in Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir, said civilians living near the Line of Control that bisects Kashmir are increasingly fleeing as the situation is “escalating very dangerously” and cross-border fighting has resumed.

“After 13 hours of relative calm today, the clashes along the Line of Control have resumed. There are also reports of heavy exchanges of artillery along the Line of Control in Kupwara, Poonch, Uri, and Samba,” he told Al Jazeera.

“Civilians in the border area are living under growing fear, and thousands have fled their homes, seeking shelter in other areas or makeshift camps.”

What is the Line of Control?

09 May, 2025
With the fast-moving developments on the ground, let’s take a step back and look at what we mean by the Line of Control (LoC), a term our correspondents regularly use.

It is the de facto border dividing Pakistan-administered Kashmir and Indian-administered Kashmir.
    
The line originally marked the military front when the two countries declared a ceasefire in January 1949 after their first war over Kashmir.
    
It was formally named the LoC under the 1972 Simla Agreement, signed after the 1971 war that resulted in the creation of Bangladesh.

Pakistan Cricket Board suspends PSL ‘indefinitely’

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

09 May, 2025
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that due to the “worsening of the situation” between India and Pakistan, the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League has been postponed “indefinitely”.

The announcement to suspend the PSL comes a day after the organisation said the tournament’s remaining eight matches would be played in the United Arab Emirates.

Earlier, the Indian Premier League, cricket’s most lucrative domestic T20 tournament, was suspended with “immediate effect” for one week.

‘The situation is escalating’ amid explosions around Srinagar airport

09 May, 2025
It is very unusual to hear explosions near the Srinagar airport, journalist Umar Mehraj, who has covered Indian-administered Kashmir for many years, tells Al Jazeera.

“Many say that the electricity shutdowns that Kashmir is witnessing now are similar to what was witnessed during the Kargil War in 1999,” he said from Indian-administered Kashmir.

“In my professional career, I’ve never seen anything as such with Pakistan using projectiles and drone strikes in Jammu or Kashmir,” Mehraj said.

“The situation is escalating, there are heightened tensions, fears among the people, no one is sure what is going to be next,” he said.

US in constant contact with India and Pakistan: White House

10 May, 2025
The White House says that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is in constant contact with the leaders of both India and Pakistan.

Speaking to reporters at a briefing, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt reiterated that US President Donald Trump wants to see a de-escalation of the conflict.

Pakistan’s military says ‘no credence’ to claims it fired missiles, drones towards India

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

10 May, 2025
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has refuted all allegations that the Pakistan army has fired drones and missiles towards India.

“No credence to their claims. They continue to lie. Their allegation is false. Otherwise, where is their evidence?” Chaudhry responded to a question posed by Al Jazeera during a news briefing in Rawalpindi on Friday.

In a nearly two-hour-long briefing organised for the foreign media, Chaudhry was flanked by senior officials from Pakistan’s air force and navy.

Chaudhry also denied recent news reports that Pakistan National Security Adviser Lieutenant General Asim Malik, who heads the country’s premier intelligence agency, ISI, has spoken to his Indian counterpart, Ajit Doval.

“There has been no direct contact between the two NSAs (national security advisers),” he said.

Pakistan’s military says it has shot down 77 drones launched from India over two days

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

10 May, 2025
Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, says that Pakistan has so far shot down 77 drones launched from India over the last two days, while also challenging the Indian authorities to “show debris of at least one Pakistani aircraft or drone that Pakistan has fired”.

The military spokesperson also provided an update on the total death toll from Indian missile strikes on several locations in Pakistan on Wednesday, saying a total of 33 people have died, with another 76 injured.

“There are 33 slain, all civilians (with) seven females and five children. There are 62 injured civilians, including 10 females and two children,” he added.

He said there had been no deaths among the military, while 14 military personnel had been injured.

Who are the armed groups India accuses Pakistan of backing?

Al Jazeera Staff

10 May, 2025
Tensions are higher between India and Pakistan than they have been in decades as the two countries trade blame for drone attacks on each other’s territory over the past few days. At the heart of the dispute is what India claims is Pakistan’s support for armed separatist groups operating in Kashmir, a region disputed between the two countries.

An armed group called The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month in which 26 people were killed. India alleges that TRF is an offshoot of another Pakistan-based armed group, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and has blamed Pakistan for supporting such groups.

Pakistan has denied this. It condemned the attack in April and called for an independent investigation.

Pakistan’s PM meets with Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs

10 May, 2025
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has met with Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir, according to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

During their “warm and cordial meeting”, the prime minister expressed his satisfaction at the “positive trajectory of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia brotherly relations”.

Sharif strongly condemned India’s reported missile and drone strikes against Pakistan that he said had resulted in the deaths of scores of innocent civilians, including women and children, as well as damage to civilian infrastructure.

During the meeting, Sharif said that India’s “unprovoked and unjustified acts of aggression had violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and seriously endangered regional peace and stability”, according to the PMO’s statement.

Pakistani official gives account of battle between Pakistani and Indian fighter jets

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

10 May, 2025
Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed of the Pakistan Air Force has provided what he said were operational details of the battle between Pakistani and Indian jets, in which Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian planes.

Ahmed, who is the deputy chief of operations, said the battle between Pakistani and Indian jets lasted for just over an hour.

He added that the battle involved at least 60 aircraft from India, including 14 Rafales, whereas the Pakistan side had 42 “hi-tech aircraft”, including US-made F-16s and Chinese-made JF-17s and J-10s.

“We had a plan. India had said they would have Rafales, and that’s why this time we targeted their centre of gravity in the shape of Rafales. This is why you see such good numbers (of planes downed),” Ahmed told reporters.

“We could have more numbers, but we showed restraint.”

Here is what you need to know:

10 May, 2025
Explosions have been reported around Srinagar airport in Indian-administered Kashmir.
    
Witnesses have told the Reuters news agency that four blasts have been heard in Amritsar, a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab, about 30km (19 miles) from the border with Pakistan.
    
Multiple blasts have been heard in Jammu city in Indian-administered Kashmir for a second day, and projectiles have been seen in the night sky after a blackout.
    
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has slammed Pakistan’s “farcical” response after it denied launching waves of drone and missile attacks.
    
Raunak Kapoor, an Indian cricket broadcaster, says that while the Indian Premier League has officially been suspended for a week due to the tensions with Pakistan, it will likely be delayed for much longer.

Armed drone injures civilians in Ferozepur, Punjab state: Indian Defence Ministry

10 May, 2025
India’s Defence Ministry said in a statement that drones have been sighted at 26 locations near the border and the Line of Control with Pakistan, including an armed drone that injured civilians in Ferozepur, Punjab state.

The ministry said the areas include Baramulla, Srinagar, Avantipora, Nagrota, Jammu, Ferozepur, Pathankot, Fazilka, Lalgarh Jatta, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bhuj, Kuarbet, and Lakhi Nala.

“The Indian armed forces are maintaining a high state of alert, and all such aerial threats are being tracked and engaged using counter-drone systems. The situation is under close and constant watch and prompt action is being taken wherever necessary,” the ministry said.

“Citizens, especially in border areas, are advised to remain indoors, limit unnecessary movement, and strictly follow safety instructions issued by local authorities. While there is no need for panic, heightened vigilance and precaution are essential.”

Three people suffer burns from drone attack in Indian city of Ferozepur, doctor says

10 May, 2025
As we reported earlier, Indian officials say a drone strike has targeted the city of Ferozepur in Punjab state.

The attack reportedly sparked a fire, and a doctor said that three people were injured.

“Out of these, the condition of a woman is critical, she has suffered severe burns,” Dr Kamal Bagi said in remarks broadcast by ANI news agency.

“The other two have lesser burns. We have immediately started their treatment. They are from the same family.”

International Crisis Group says world powers ‘indifferent’ to India-Pakistan crisis

Nepal says in touch with citizens amid India-Pakistan tensions

The Nepalese Foreign Ministry says in a statement that it is in “constant contact” with its citizens in Pakistan, including students, as exchanges of fire heat up.

One Nepalese tourist was killed on April 22 during the Pahagalm attack in Indian-administered Kashmir, along with 25 Indian nationals.

India accuses Pakistan of targeting places of worship

India and Pakistan have traded accusations that they each targeted places of worship.

In his media briefing, India’s foreign secretary said that Pakistani shelling on Wednesday killed two students at the Christ School in Poonch, while severely injuring their parents.

“This is a new low, even for Pakistan,” Vikram Misri said, adding that Islamabad was shelling such sites with a “particular design”.

Pakistan left with limited options on how to respond to Indian attacks

Retired army general Ghulam Mustafa says Pakistan has been forced to choose between submission or war, after India launched a wave of missile attacks this week.

“An act of war can only be responded to by another act of war,” Mustafa told Al Jazeera.

The former officer said while Islamabad’s response would have to be “measured” to avoid an escalation, “India has to feel the pain for starting this conflict.”

He added that Kashmir has been the flashpoint in previous conflicts as well, and that solving this dispute was necessary to achieving peaceful coexistence between India and Pakistan.

How will Pakistan attack India?

With Pakistan denying any missile or drone attacks against India, Pakistan’s warning of upcoming retribution remains alive, hovering over the 1.6 billion people of South Asia, 17 days after armed gunmen killed 26 male civilians in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, triggering the current escalation.

Experts say how Pakistan responds will likely be shaped by its desire to demonstrate that it can hurt India, without pushing the crisis over the edge into a full-blown conflict.

Homes shelled in Indian-administered Kashmir

The military says Pakistan has resorted to what it says are “numerous ceasefire violations” along the line of control, including shelling villages.

India’s army says Pakistan launched “multiple” drone attacks across India’s entire western border on Thursday night and into Friday morning.

India’s former ambassador accuses Pakistan’s army chief of ‘sponsoring terrorism’

Former Indian Ambassador to Pakistan G Parthasarathy has accused Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir of “sponsoring terrorism across the border”.

“He thinks India is going to sink under the pressure,” Parthasarathy told Al Jazeera. “This is not a war against the people of Pakistan, unfortunately they have come under a person who thinks he can blackmail India through terrorism.”

Asked if de-escalation efforts were still possible, he said there would be “no talks with Pakistan until terrorism ends”.

Pakistan military spokesperson says ‘We will not de-escalate’ with India

Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry told a news conference: “We will not de-escalate – with the damages India did on our side, they should take a hit.

“So far we have been protecting ourselves but they will get an answer in our own timing,” the spokesperson added.

What are the Turkish-made drones Pakistan is alleged to be using?

Earlier, Indian army spokesperson Vyomika Singh said Pakistan had launched 300 to 400 drones, the majority of which were intercepted and destroyed by Indian air defence systems.

An Indian analysis of the debris suggested these were Turkish-made Songar models, which are domestically developed by Turkiye by Ankara-based company Asisguard.

The armed, low-altitude quadcopter drones can broadcast real-time video and operate within an operational range of up to 10 kilometres (6.2 miles).

They are able to be equipped with a range of weapons, including machine guns, mortar rounds and grenade launchers.

Fast facts: India and Pakistan tensions

In 1947, the British colonial rulers drew a line of partition, dividing the Indian subcontinent into Muslim-majority Pakistan and Hindu-majority India. What followed was one of the largest – and, perhaps, bloodiest – migrations in human history.
    
Seventy-eight years on, the two nations remain bitter foes. But now they have nuclear arms.
    
The tension between India and Pakistan has escalated sharply once again after the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025.
    
The Muslim-majority Kashmir region, a former princely state, has been in dispute since the partition of India. India, Pakistan and China each control a part of Kashmir. India claims all of it, while Pakistan claims the part administered by India.
    
The two countries have gone to war four times, and there have been numerous cross-border skirmishes and escalations, including one in 2019 after at least 40 Indian soldiers were killed in a suicide attack claimed by the Pakistan-based armed group, Jaish-e-Muhammad.

In retaliation, India launched air strikes in Balakot, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa later that month, claiming that its jets had struck “terrorist” bases, killing many fighters. Many independent analysts have questioned whether India actually struck bases of armed groups and whether it killed as many fighters as it claims it did.

Multiple blasts and a blackout reported in Jammu city

Multiple blasts have been heard in Jammu city in Indian-administered Kashmir for a second day, and projectiles have been seen in the night sky after a blackout.

“Intermittent sounds of blasts, probably heavy artillery, can now be heard from where I am,” the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah said in a post on X.

In an earlier post he said: “Blackout in Jammu now. Sirens can be heard across the city.”

Jammu resident reports drone attack on the city

Jammu resident Rashul Singh Oberh has told Al Jazeera that a blackout in the city in Indian-administered Kashmir started at about 8pm (14:30 GMT) and a drone attack started about 15 to 30 minutes later.

“I’m at my workplace and can see red light and explosions in the sky,” he said.

Blasts and ‘heavy firing’ heard in Indian city of Amritsar

Witnesses have told the Reuters news agency that four blasts have been heard in Amritsar, a city in the northwestern Indian state of Punjab, about 30km (19 miles) from the border with Pakistan.

Journalist Ravinder Singh Robin has also reported “heavy firing sounds” in the city.

“Just moments ago, heavy firing sounds heard near Air Force Cantonment around Ajnala Road in Amritsar,” he posted along with a video on X.

Uncertainty and fear grips India

Um-e-Kulsoom Shariff, Reporting from New Delhi, India

There had been relative calm since this morning, but now that has changed, because gunshots and loud explosions have been reported along the Line of Control.

We’re also getting reports of a blackout in Jammu.

There have been fast-moving developments overnight, including India saying it has taken down several Pakistani drones and missiles and also stopped armed men trying to cross into the Indian side.

There have also been a lot of security developments in many cities, including the Indian capital, New Delhi, which is on high alert.

About 20 airports have been shut, and they were to remain shut until the 15th.

The Indian Premier League, a much-loved and highly watched series that has been under way with matches all over the country, will now be suspended for a week.

‘We still have an opportunity for an off-ramp’: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

India’s former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has told Al Jazeera that, as he understands, the national security advisers of India and Pakistan “are in touch with each other”.

He said the message being conveyed in news conferences by Indian officials is that “India is committed to peace, but the choice of de-escalation lies with Pakistan. In other words, there is an off-ramp situation here”.

He added, “Even if you look at the Indian air force briefing, there’s a lot of … operational restraint that is being talked about, and the fact that there is definitely a desire to avoid a wider conflict.

“India does believe that its actions have been calibrated, have been precise, have been responsible, and it is not designed in any way to escalate the situation, unless Pakistan, you know, sort of seeks that avenue.

“And if that’s the case, then the Indian response is likely to be firm.”

International Crisis Group says world powers ‘indifferent’ to India-Pakistan crisis

The think tank says “foreign powers appear to have been somewhat indifferent” to the prospect of war, despite warnings of possible escalation.

“Aside from their preoccupation with the multitude of other crises unfolding around the world, many foreign capitals may also have feared contradicting themselves after having expressed support for India’s prerogative to ‘fight terrorism’ following the brutal Pahalgam killings,” the ICG said in a statement.

US Vice President JD Vance on Thursday said that Washington wanted to see a “de-escalation” in a worsening conflict between India and Pakistan, but that it was “fundamentally none of our business”.

But the ICG said that a “combination of bellicose rhetoric, domestic agitation and the remorseless logic of military one-upmanship have heightened the risks of escalation, particularly because for some time there was no diplomatic communication between the sides”.

Indian foreign secretary accuses Pakistan of ‘disinformation’

Chinese embassy in Nepal advises citizens to avoid Nepal-India border region

Citing the “tense situation between India and Pakistan”, China’s embassy in Nepal has warned its citizens in the country to avoid areas along the Nepal-India border and “strictly guard against misentering Indian territory”.

Posting on its WeChat channel, the Chinese embassy said in a statement that both India and Nepal have stepped up security efforts along their border amid heightened tension in the region.

“The border between Nepal and India is open and the border is not marked … do not mistakenly enter Indian territory with an Indian visa due to personal negligence,” it said.

‘Missiles in skies’: Panic in Indian frontier cities as war clouds gather

Yashraj Sharma, Reporting from New Delhi, India

Aqib Parray was standing at a local shop near his home in Jammu, in Indian-administered Kashmir, when all the lights went out late in the evening on Thursday, May 8. Loud bangs followed.

Panicked, everyone on the streets started rushing home, 24-year-old Parray said. From the terrace of his home, he said, “I saw that the missiles were scattered in the skies.” Then his internet also went off. “We have never seen Jammu like this.”

Two generations of Indians and Pakistanis have not witnessed a fully fledged war, with blackouts and the threat of missiles raining on them even if they are far from any battlefield. In 1999, the nations fought a war over the icy heights of Kargil, but the conflict was contained.

Now, as India and Pakistan edge closer to all-out war, millions of people on both sides are witnessing scenes unprecedented in their lifetimes. They include the 750,000 people of Jammu, and millions more in Indian cities that on Thursday evening came under attack, according to the Indian government.

India orders ports, terminals and shipyards to increase security levels

India has directed all ports, shipping terminals and shipyards to implement increased security measures amid heightened tensions with its neighbour Pakistan, Reuters news agency reports.

The order comes as India suspended civilian flights at 24 airports in the north following fighting with nuclear-armed rival Pakistan.

Nearly 50 people have been killed, mainly in Pakistan, since India launched air strikes on Wednesday targeting “terrorist camps”, leading to the worst clashes between the neighbours in decades.

Some of India’s biggest airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, have cancelled more than 100 flights since Wednesday.

Pakistan seeking to re-establish nuclear deterrence

Pakistan reserves the right to respond to India’s missile attacks in a bid to defend itself and re-establish its nuclear deterrence, former Pakistan Army Brigadier Rashid Wali told Al Jazeera.

“Pakistan was quite stunned that a nuclear power could be so careless,” Wali said.

The former army brigadier said he expected Islamabad’s response to be proportionate and against military targets.

He also argued that Pakistan was confronted with “spurious accusations” after the Pahalgam attack, in which 26 civilians were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, despite offering its collaboration in an international investigation.

Pakistani minister says de-escalation efforts in India conflict under way

Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif says his government is speaking daily to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and China over efforts to de-escalate the ongoing crisis with India.

Pakistani state media says army shot down 48 drones overnight

The development brings the total number of Indian drones Pakistan claims to have shot down to 77, according to state-owned PTV News.

Security sources told the television channel that Pakistan’s army is giving a befitting response to the Indian aggression.

Indian FM discusses Pakistan conflict with UK counterpart

Subrahmanyam Jaishankar says on X that he had a phone call with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Discussions centred on “countering terrorism, for which there must be zero-tolerance”, he added.

Concern grows among Indians as tensions boil

Ume Kulsoom Shariff, reporting from New Delhi, India

It’s been a sleepless night for millions of Indians in several cities. Many are concerned about what could happen next and how far things could go between two nuclear neighbours.

For a third night, India and Pakistan have accused each other of carrying out attacks. India says it shot down Pakistani drones and has stopped armed men from crossing the border.

The developments are swift but the mood is also affected by what people see on social media, where fact and fiction merge. There’s a sense of worry, whether it’s in New Delhi or in Bangalore, where mock drills are being conducted.

The air sirens, the blackouts add to the sense of fear that has been growing. There’s also panic buying among those who have been evacuated from the border areas as they don’t know what can happen and when they will be able to go back to their houses.

Why was the IPL suspended?

As we reported earlier, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has decided to suspend matches in light of ongoing hostilities between India and Pakistan.

Devajit Saikia, secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has issued a statement saying that matches will be suspended for one week, and that the body will give further updates as the situation develops.

“While the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders,” the statement reads.

“While cricket remains a national passion, there is nothing greater than the Nation and its sovereignty, integrity, and security of our country. The BCCI remains firmly committed to support all efforts that safeguard India and will always align its decisions in the best interest of the nation."

Pakistan says Azerbaijan expressed ‘solidarity and support’ in phone call

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has expressed “strong solidarity and support for Pakistan” in the wake of India’s attacks, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry has said.

Bayramov spoke by phone with his Pakistani counterpart, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, who also serves as deputy prime minister.

The two leaders agreed to “remain in close contact” and reaffirmed the “strong fraternal ties between the two countries”, the ministry said in a statement on X.

Pakistan says India has brought countries ‘closer to major conflict’

The country’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says India is to blame for bringing the two nuclear-armed neighbours closer to war.

“It is most unfortunate that India’s reckless conduct has brought the two nuclear-armed states closer to a major conflict,” Shafqat Ali Khan said in a press briefing in the capital, Islamabad.

“India’s jingoism and war hysteria should be a source of serious concern for the world.”

Residents of Muridke say mosque was not ‘terrorist’ ground

Osama Bin Javaid, Reporting from Muridke, Pakistan

We’re inside the mosque that has been hit in a series of missile attacks that India launched in the early hours of Wednesday.

The first floor has collapsed and we can see a hole through the roof.

People have been countering the narrative presented by India that this was a training camp for “terrorists”. This area has been under control of the government for the past seven years and has schools, seminaries, and a hospital.

People here want to tell the world that this was not a (terrorist) camp; it was nothing but a mosque and they are upset that the world has stayed silent in the face of India’s attack.

Air raid sirens sound in Ambala in northern India

An air attack warning has been issued by India’s air forces in Ambala, over a possible strike from Pakistan, according to the Indian media.

Sirens were heard across the city at about 10:30am (5:00 GMT), and citizens were urged to stay indoors.

“An air warning has been received from air force station of possible attack. Sirens are being sounded. All are advised to remain indoors and away from balconies,” media reports cited a directive issued.

An order of a complete blackout in the district has also been issued as an additional measure, with all lights to remain switched off between 8pm and 6am.

Former chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir calls for de-escalation

Mehbooba Mufti, speaking with chief scholar Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, issued a plea for India and Pakistan to step back from the brink of conflict.

“Children, women and the elderly are dying and getting displaced on both sides of the border. There is an urgent need for restraint. The heads of both countries should carefully consider the situation and aim for de-escalation,” Mufti said in Srinagar, according to Indian media outlet The Indian Express.

She said military action only “addresses the symptoms, not the cause of the illness. It does not guarantee a solution or peace.”

Mufti mentioned two children who were killed earlier this week in cross-border shelling in the area. “Likewise, Irtiza Abbas, a 7-year-old killed on the other side of Kashmir. They are all caught in this crossfire. What is their mistake in all of this?” she asked.

Indian military gives update

Vyomika Sing, a spokesperson for the army, has accused Pakistan of using Turkish-made drones in an attack overnight from May 8 to 9 during a press conference

Sing also accused Pakistan of using commercial air traffic as a shield as hostilities continue to heat up.

We will bring you more shortly.

Indian foreign secretary accuses Pakistan of ‘disinformation’

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri has slammed Pakistan’s “farcical” response after it denied launching waves of drone and missile attacks.

During a news briefing on India’s Operation Sindoor, Misri said Pakistan also claimed that India was staging attacks on Poonch and Amritsar in an “effort to deceive the world … That we would attack our cities is the kind of deranged statement that only Pakistan could put out.”

The foreign secretary claimed that Pakistan was spreading “disinformation” by stating that India launched a drone attack on the Nankana Sahib gurdwara – a place of assembly and worship in Sikhism – in the Punjab province.

IPL suspended indefinitely due to mounting tensions

Prime Minister Modi under ‘immense pressure’ to target Pakistan

Masood Akhtar, a national security analyst and former air marshal in the Pakistani air force, has said that people in Pakistan “thought that it was all over” after India bombed the country on Wednesday.

But Akhtar told Al Jazeera that Wednesday’s attack “wasn’t enough” for many in India.

“As of now, there is immense pressure on the Indian Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) to continue to act, to ratchet up the pressure (on Pakistan),” he said.

More details from Pakistan media on drone attacks

Pakistan’s Dawn news outlet has provided more details on the wave of drone attacks launched from India on Thursday.

Dawn quoted the military as saying that the areas where drones were intercepted included Lahore, Attock, Gujranwala, Chakwal, Rawalpindi, and Bahawalpur in Punjab province, as well as Sukkur, Umerkot and Karachi in Sindh province.

One person was confirmed killed and another injured in Miano near the Line of Control with Indian-administered Kashmir, Dawn quoted Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the military’s chief spokesperson, as saying.

Two people were also killed in Attock and Rawalpindi, Dawn reported, citing police.

Indian cricket officials to make ‘final decision’ over rest of IPL season

Cricket authorities will decide later today what will happen to the rest of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, as reports of deadly attacks between India and Pakistan ramp up.

“We are monitoring the situation, seeking the government’s advice, and will take the final decision on the IPL tomorrow,” Rajeev Shukla, vice president of India’s cricket board, told The Indian Express newspaper on Thursday.

“The situation is changing day by day. We will do whatever we are told and inform all stakeholders. At the moment, our priority is the safety of all players, fans and stakeholders,” he added.

We previously reported than an IPL cricket match set to take place on Sunday between Mumbai and Punjab has been moved to Gujarat due to safety concerns. The match was due to take place in Dharamshala, where the airport has closed in the wake of this week’s violence.

Pakistan has already moved the remaining eight matches of the Pakistan Super League season to the United Arab Emirates due to growing security concerns.

India’s Information Ministry orders ban on ‘streaming media content’ originating in Pakistan

India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has published an “advisory” on its website which orders India-based online platforms and streaming services to discontinue “web-series, films, songs, podcasts and other streaming media content … having its origins in Pakistan”.

The order, dated Thursday, and which the Information Ministry said comes into force with “immediate effect”, was described as being “in the interest of national security”.

Earlier, we reported that India had also asked X to ban access to at least 8,000 accounts in a sweeping crackdown on Pakistan-related content on social media. The ban includes X accounts owned by news outlets and rights groups. Some YouTube and Instagram accounts were also reportedly blocked in India.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Indian army has claimed that Pakistan’s armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other weapons along India’s western border on Thursday night and Friday morning.
    
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has again denied that Pakistan launched attacks on targets in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday, calling claims of attacks “baseless” as he questioned footage published by Indian media.
    
Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, has said there has been contact with India at the national security level, but called for escalations in “actions” and “rhetoric” to stop.
    
The Indian government has ordered X to block users in the country from accessing more than 8,000 accounts, the social media platform said, as New Delhi continues its crackdown on Pakistan-related content.
    
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed concern that tensions between India and Pakistan “will turn into a hot conflict”, as he backed an “international investigation” into the Pahalgam attack.

Pakistan says Economic Affairs Ministry’s X account hacked

Pakistan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said its social media account was hacked after a post was published on X calling on international partners to provide loans to Pakistan amid rising tensions with neighbouring India, the Reuters news agency reports.

“We are working to have the Twitter (X) switched off,” the ministry told Reuters, adding that they “did not tweet” about it.

Earlier, both Indian and Pakistani media and information watchdogs flagged the barrage of misinformation linked to the ongoing tensions between the two countries.

Pakistan says the ‘whole world’ will know when it responds to India’s attack

Kamal Hyder, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

There has been an intensification of tit-for-tat artillery duels along the Line of Control that separates India and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. There’s been casualties on the Pakistani side of the Line of Control as well.

The Pakistani military spokesman said that India should move away from cinema and into the real world after the Indians announced there were attacks across India along the bordering regions. Pakistan said that when it does carry out that attack, the whole world will find out.

Now Pakistan, of course, is under pressure to respond. They’ve told the Americans that Pakistan will respond as an act of self-defence.

Yesterday, what happened was something that was unacceptable, another provocation from India. Pakistan shot down almost 30 Israeli suicide drones – supplied to India – in several locations across the country, from the south to the north.

So Pakistan has still not responded.

There were also reports by Indian media that a Pakistani F-16 had been shot down and that a pilot had been captured. However, it is important to note that there is a user agreement with the United States in which Pakistan cannot use American F-16 fighters against India. That is an end-user agreement.

So the Indian claims are being seen as a propaganda campaign here in Pakistan.  However the situation remains tense.

Tensions are running very high and everybody is now anticipating a Pakistani response, which Pakistan says will come at a place and time of its choosing.

Indian army shares video of missile strike against Pakistan

The Indian army has released a short video clip showing a strike on a structure, which it described as a “befitting reply” to Pakistan’s violations of the Line of Control separating Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

In a post on X, India accused Pakistan of carrying out a series of overnight attacks.

Officials in Pakistan say their armed forces have, so far, engaged only in defensive military measures in response to India’s attacks.

‘Confrontation could expand’ – Pakistan defence minister warns India over border strikes

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Al Jazeera that while Islamabad seeks de-escalation, Indian aggression – including drone strikes and 78 warplane incursions – has made confrontation “imminent”.

He claimed that Pakistani forces had downed five Indian fighter jets, but could not verify the exact number of Indian casualties, noting clashes along the Kashmir Line of Control.

Asif also accused Indian Prime Minister Modi of stoking tensions to distract from India’s domestic unrest, and reiterated Pakistan’s offer to allow independent investigations into Indian claims of terrorist camps.

Situation ‘very tense’ in Srinagar along disputed India-Pakistan border

Umar Mehraj, Reporting from Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir

The situation at the Line of Control (LoC) between India and Pakistan is very tense.

For a third consecutive night, we’ve heard of exchange of fire and artillery shelling hitting several areas across the region.

Last night was yet another night of fear and chaos among residents caught in the middle of the fighting.

People have been taking shelter in community bunkers for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.

More on India’s flight suspension

As we reported yesterday, India has suspended civilian flights at 24 airports in the north of the country.

This includes the cities of Jodhpur, Ludhiana and Amritsar near the western border with Pakistan. Some of India’s biggest airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, have cancelled more than 100 flights since Wednesday.

Local media have now reported that the suspension of civilian flights may be lifted tomorrow morning.

Indian airlines have also issued advisories to passengers flying out from other airports, asking them to arrive at least three hours before departure, citing a government notification on enhanced security measures.

‘March to war should be halted’: Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper urges diplomacy

In an editorial published on Friday, Pakistan’s newspaper Dawn called on both Islamabad and New Delhi “to step back from the brink” as threats of a wider conflict increase.

The publication also noted the “indifference” on the part of the international community “to actively help defuse the crisis”.

“This indifference is perplexing in a nuclear neighbourhood, as an escalation in hostilities will not remain a bilateral matter, but affect all of South Asia as well as the Middle East,” Dawn stressed.

The editorial comes following the declaration from US Vice President JD Vance that the brewing conflict is “none of our business”.

“The actual reality of conflict is much darker,” the paper added. “What a nuclear showdown has in store is too horrific to contemplate. Therefore, sense must prevail, and the march to war should be halted.”

IPL suspended indefinitely due to mounting tensions

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been suspended indefinitely due to the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan, India’s PTI news agency has reported, citing an official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Pakistan tells US ambassador its security will not be compromised

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has briefed acting US ambassador Natalie Baker about the rising tensions with India and its “drone terrorism”, a statement by Pakistan’s ministry said.

It said New Delhi made a “despicable attempt to target civilian populations with drones, violating all international laws”.

“The entire region is on the brink of war,” Naqvi was quoted as saying. “We will never allow security to be compromised.”

India accuses Pakistan of carrying out more drone attacks, committing ‘numerous ceasefire violations’

A recap of recent developments

As tensions soar between India and Pakistan, misinformation and unconfirmed rumours of attacks were rife on both sides of the Radcliffe Line.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Pakistani military has claimed India fired attack drones into Pakistan on Thursday, killing at least two civilians. Pakistan’s military has also said it has downed 25 Indian drones over its territory.
    
India has claimed Pakistan attacked Akhnoor, Samba, Kathua and multiple other locations in Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir.
    
India also claimed that Pakistan has fired missiles and drones at military stations in Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur, close to the countries’ shared border.
    
Indian media has also reported that a Pakistani air force pilot was captured by Indian security forces after ejecting from his fighter jet over the city of Jaisalmer.
    
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has denied that Pakistan launched any attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, saying the country’s military has not fired “across (the) international border”. He also denied a Pakistani pilot had been captured.
    
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in calls with leaders of both India and Pakistan, “emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation”, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.

Pakistan’s US envoy says India, Pakistan have had contact at national security level

Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, said there has been contact at the level of national security, but called for the escalation “both in terms of the actions that have been taken and in terms of rhetoric that is coming out” to stop.

“Now the responsibility for de-escalation is on India, but there are constraints on restraint. Pakistan reserves the right to respond back. There is enough pressure from our public opinion on the government to respond,” he said in an interview with CNN.

More on Pakistan’s decision to move cricket matches to UAE

Earlier, we reported that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to move the remaining eight matches of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) to the United Arab Emirates due to growing security concerns amid increasing tensions with India.

PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the country’s interior minister, said the decision was reached for the sake of the safety of players.

“The PCB has always stood by the position that politics and sports need to be kept apart,” he said.

“However, in view of the extremely irresponsible and dangerous Indian act of targeting the stadium, the PCB has taken this decision,” Naqvi was quoted as saying in the statement issued by the board.

Several drones were reportedly launched by India on Thursday morning, including at least three on Pakistan’s Rawalpindi city, one of which was reported to have come down within the compound of Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which is currently hosting Pakistan Super League matches.

X to comply with Indian order to block more than 8,000 accounts

The Indian government has ordered X to block users in the country from accessing more than 8,000 accounts, the social media platform said, as New Delhi continues its sweeping crackdown on Pakistan-related social media content.

“X has received executive orders from the Indian government requiring X to block over 8,000 accounts in India, subject to potential penalties including significant fines and imprisonment of the company’s local employees,” the site’s global government affairs team said in a statement.

The Elon Musk-owned platform said the order includes demands to block international news organisations and other prominent users. The company did not provide details. It also added that the Indian government had not specified which posts violated Indian law and provided little evidence or justification for the demand to block accounts.

“Blocking entire accounts is not only unnecessary, it amounts to censorship of existing and future content, and is contrary to the fundamental right of free speech,” the X statement said.

“This is not an easy decision, however keeping the platform accessible in India is vital to Indians’ ability to access information,” it added.

The move by X comes a day after Instagram owner Meta also banned Indian users from accessing a prominent Muslim news page on the platform at New Delhi’s request.

India-Pakistan drone war heats up

Pakistan’s military says it brought down 25 Indian drones over cities including Karachi and Lahore.

India says Pakistan had targeted India and Indian-administered Kashmir with drones and missiles that were shot down.

The exchanges are fuelling fears of a new phase in the ongoing tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Turkiye’s Erdogan backs international probe on Pahalgam attack

In a statement posted on social media, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed concern that the escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan “will turn into a hot conflict”, which could result in the deaths of many civilians.

After a telephone conversation with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Erdogan said that he found Islamabad’s proposal “for an international investigation into the heinous terrorist attack” in Pahalgam, in Indian-administered Kashmir, “valuable”.

The attack in April killed at least 26 civilians and ignited the current tension between India and Pakistan after New Delhi laid the blame for the killings on Islamabad.

“Although there are those who want to pour gasoline onto the fire, we in Turkiye are making every effort to reduce tensions and open channels of dialogue before events reach a point of no return,” Erdogan wrote on X.

Chief minister of Indian-administered Kashmir heads to Jammu

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a post on X that he was heading to Jammu “to take stock of the situation” after what he described as a “failed Pakistani drone attack” directed at the city – the largest in the Jammu region of Indian-administered Kashmir.

We reported that residents of Jammu said there was widespread panic on Thursday night after what they described as a barrage of “drones and missiles” fired from Pakistan.

Residents in the city reported disruptions to phone signals and power outages.

Pakistan’s army said earlier that it had shot down 28 Indian drones, while India’s Defence Ministry said it “neutralised” Pakistan’s attempt to “engage a number of military targets … using drones and missiles”.

Pakistan’s information minister denies ‘baseless’ drone attack claim by India

Previously, we reported that Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar denied that Pakistan launched attacks on targets in Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir on Thursday.

Now, in a video message published on X by Pakistan’s government, Tarar has again denied that Pakistan carried out any attacks and questioned the veracity of footage aired by Indian media.

“I have seen a video aired by an Indian television channel showing a drone that appears completely unmarked and untouched, simply lying on the ground,” he told news outlet France 24.

“Based on this, I believe the accusations levelled against Pakistan by India are baseless,” he added.

South Asia expert warns against spread of disinformation amid India-Pakistan tensions

Earlier, we reported on the spread of misinformation and rumours linked to the escalating conflict between India and Pakistan.

Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst and writer for Foreign Policy magazine, said that disinformation regarding the conflict “is escalating as rapidly as the hostilities”.

“Both are very dangerous for different reasons,” he said in a social media post, urging the public to follow reliable sources of information and fact-checkers.

“At moments like this, their work is absolutely critical.”

Human rights lawyer denounces India’s decision to block social media accounts

In a post on social media, Arjun Sethi, a civil and human rights advocate, called India a leader in “the world in digital authoritarianism”.

India had earlier ordered X to block more than 8,000 accounts, the platform said it was reluctantly complying with what it described as government-imposed “censorship”, amid its escalating conflict with neighbouring Pakistan.

Sethi, who is also an expert on surveillance issues at Georgetown University, noted that blocked accounts include human rights defenders and international news outlets.

India has also banned over a dozen Pakistani YouTube channels, including several news outlets, accusing them of spreading “provocative” content, as well as the Instagram account of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to The Hindustan Times.

India accuses Pakistan of carrying out more drone attacks, committing ‘numerous ceasefire violations’

The Indian army has claimed that Pakistan’s armed forces launched multiple attacks using drones and other weapons along India’s western border on Thursday night and Friday morning.

The army said Pakistan also “resorted to numerous ceasefire violations” along the Line of Control (LoC) between Indian- and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

“The drone attacks were effectively repulsed,” the military said in a post on X, adding that it gave a “befitting reply”, without providing details.

Pakistan has denied carrying out any cross-border attacks over recent days.

India ‘jeopardising peace and stability’: Pakistan’s PM in call with Rubio

Jammu residents witness barrage of ‘drones and missiles’ fired from Pakistan

Al Jazeera Staff, Reporting from Indian-administered Kashmir

Residents in the southern city of Jammu in India-administered Kashmir are reporting widespread panic after what they described as a barrage of “drones and missiles” fired from Pakistan, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

People are reporting disruption to phone signals, and most of Kashmir is without electricity.

“We don’t know exactly what they were – drones or missiles – but I counted at least 40 to 45 of them from my terrace,” said Arun Singh, 37, a resident of Gandhi Nagar locality.

“It started around 8pm (14:30 GMT) and continued in three waves, each about 15 minutes apart. They looked like red flashes in the sky. But they were getting diffused in the sky and not coming down.”

Singh said he and his family initially thought they were witnessing fireworks.

“We got on the terrace thinking it was a celebration, but then the lights came from all directions. There were screams, and everyone rushed back inside their homes,” Singh told Al Jazeera.

Another resident, who lives near the Jammu airport, which is already shut due to the ongoing escalations, said he saw “white sparks” fall dangerously close to the airport.

“We don’t know what’s happening. The phone networks are down, and there is a total blackout. People are fearing the worst,” he said.

“It looks like the airport might have been a target. There was even an explosion, though we are unsure what caused it and what is happening.”

No reports of damage or casualties yet in Jammu or Indian-administered Kashmir

Al Jazeera Staff, Reporting from Indian-administered Kashmir

In Srinagar, further north in Indian-administered Kashmir, residents are also reporting disruptions in telecom services, and many people were gripped by fear and uncertainty.

“There are forces everywhere in the locality,” said Fehmeeda, a resident of Srinagar. “People are panicking and rushing to stock up on essentials.”

Several residents in Jammu told Al Jazeera that they are hearing sirens in multiple locations.

A senior official told Al Jazeera that missile interception systems had been activated around the area.

So far, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties or structural damage anywhere in Jammu as the situation is evolving.

In an advisory issued by the police in Jammu, residents were asked to switch off lights and stay indoors.

“No unnecessary vehicular movement should be taken. There is no need to panic. Authorities will have the situation under control,” the police advisory said, requesting the public not to spread rumours or unverified information.

Pakistan air force pilot captured in India: Reports

Indian media is reporting that a Pakistani air force pilot has been captured by Indian security forces after ejecting from his fighter jet over the city of Jaisalmer.

The pilot’s identity has not been disclosed, Indian outlet the Tribune said.

Sources told the outlet that the pilot was taken into custody after ejecting from the aircraft.

Pakistan attacks three military stations near Jammu and Kashmir

Three military stations in proximity to the international boundary in Jammu and Kashmir has been targeted by Pakistan using missiles and drones, according to India’s military.

The military said there was no loss of life after the attack.

The Indian armed forces also said they neutralised the attack with kinetic and non-kinetic methods.

Pakistan denies attacks on Pathankot, Jaisalmer, and Srinagar: Foreign Ministry

Pakistan is denying that it launched attacks tonight in the Indian cities of Pathankot and Jaisalmer, and Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir.

“These claims are entirely unfounded, politically motivated, and part of a reckless propaganda campaign aimed at maligning Pakistan,” the country’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

“The repeated pattern of levelling accusations against Pakistan without any credible investigation reflects a deliberate strategy to manufacture a pretext for aggression and to further destabilise the region,” the statement continued.

“Such actions not only further endanger regional peace but also reveal a disturbing willingness to exploit misinformation for political and military ends.”

Islamabad further warned that any “escalation based on false pretences will be met with full resolve and determination to safeguard Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Situation in Jammu is ‘deeply disturbing’: Former chief minister

The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, has said the situation in Jammu is deeply disturbing.

“Deeply disturbing reports are emerging from Jammu, where air strikes have reportedly hit certain areas,” Mufti said on X.

“My heart goes out to the people of Jammu especially those living along the borders who are once again caught in the terrifying uncertainty of conflict.”

India’s FM says country launched ‘targeted’ response to terrorism in call with Rubio

India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar says he has spoken to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and underlined New Delhi’s “targeted and measured response to cross-border terrorism”.

“Deeply appreciate US commitment to work with India in the fight against terrorism,” he said in a post on the social media platform X.

“Will firmly counter any attempts at escalation (with Pakistan)”, he added.

India ‘jeopardising peace and stability’: Pakistan’s PM in call with Rubio

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif earlier today received a phone call from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a news release from the prime minister’s office.

“India’s attacks had violated Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while gravely jeopardising peace and stability in the South Asia region,” Sharif was quoted as saying.

The leader stated that Pakistan will protect its sovereignty, has the right to act in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter, and appreciated US President Donald Trump’s concern over the situation, the statement read.

According to the statement, Rubio noted that the US was closely following the situation in the region “as it was committed to promoting peace and stability”. He emphasised the need for both Pakistan and India to work closely to de-escalate the situation.

Rubio, in calls with leaders of both countries, “emphasised the need for immediate de-escalation”, US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

India closes 24 airports for passenger flight operations

India’s civil aviation ministry says 24 airports in the country will be closed for civil flights as tensions with Pakistan escalate.

The ministry has not specified the duration of the closure.

Some of the airports which are closed are in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.

‘Escalation is imminent,’ Pakistan’s defence minister says

Suspension of Indus Water Treaty poses serious energy security risk for Pakistan

Federica Marsi

Analysts have said the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), which regulates three eastern rivers – Ravi, Sutlej and Beas, poses a serious energy security risk for Pakistan.

Oslo-based think tank Rystad Energy said Pakistan sees 90 percent of its total hydropower capacity disrupted due to altered water flows from India.

“If the treaty were to be terminated altogether, India would gain full control of the Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers, enabling it to build more hydropower projects and potentially operate existing upstream facilities in ways that could adversely affect its downstream neighbour,” analyst Uttamarani Pati said in an email sent to Al Jazeera.

“While India is less reliant on hydropower, further escalation could still put its energy infrastructure at risk.”

Twenty-nine drones have been neutralised by the Pakistani army: Military spokesperson

Pakistan’s military spokesman Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has released a statement in which he said:

India needs to cut out the “drama” and “war hysteria”.
    
When Pakistan will strike back, “the whole world will come to know” – we are not dependent on India’s media to report on it.
    
Twenty-nine drones have been neutralised by the Pakistani army.
    
Pakistanis have been going about their lives as normal. Though the drone attacks are meant to instil fear in the population, Pakistanis are not scared.

Pakistan’s Punjab province to close all schools for two days: Report

Pakistan’s Punjab government has announced the closure of all public and private schools across the province on tomorrow and Saturday (May 9 and May 10, 2025), according to a memo issued by Secretary School Education Khalid Nazir Wattoo, Pakistani outlet Dawn reported.

“However, examinations scheduled by/on behalf of International Examining bodies (O Level and A Level) shall continue as scheduled,” Dawn cited the memo as stating.

The British Council Pakistan had earlier cancelled many exams – including the GCE, IGCSE, IELTS and University of London exams scheduled for today in Lahore “due to the developing situation”, Dawn reported.

Pakistani drones target Indian-administered Kashmir: Report

There have been attacks in Akhnoor, Samba, Kathua and multiple other locations in Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir, Reuters reports, citing an unnamed Indian official.

Reuters is also citing Indian military sources as saying that a likely drone attack launched by Pakistan has targeted the area around Jammu Airport in Kashmir.

We will bring you more information as we get it.

India and Pakistan nuclear stockpile a defensive move

Security analyst Syed Mohammed Ali says the nuclear weapons possessed by India and Pakistan “create a scenario for mutually assured destruction”.

“Pakistan and India have enough nuclear weapons to wipe the other side out several times over,” Ali, who is based in Islamabad, the Pakistani capital, told The AP news agency.

Both countries have “deliberately developed” the size and range of their stockpile to remind the other about the guarantee of mutually assured destruction, he adds.

The arsenals are a defensive move to prevent and deter further fighting, because “neither side can afford to initiate such a war or hope to achieve anything from it,” Ali says.

India intercepted drones, attacks in Jammu, according to media reports

There’s currently a complete electricity blackout in Jammu and Kashmir, says journalist Umar Meraj.

“The Indian news outlets are reporting that they have intercepted drones and attacks on several locations in Jammu,” Meraj told Al Jazeera, speaking from Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Sirens are being heard in Jammu and several villages near the Line of Control, Meraj added.

“The clashes between the India and Pakistan forces are far more intense than in previous years. What used to be occasional small firearms have escalated to the heavy exchange of artillery,” the journalist explained.

World powers lack ‘leverage’ or ‘commitment’ to solve crisis

The is no international legal framework or “hegemonic powers in the world which are committed to stepping in and solving this issue” in a way that would be satisfactory to both Pakistan or India, Subir Sinha, a senior lecturer at the Centre of South Asian Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London tells Al Jazeera.

“You look at Britain, while all of this was going on, they were busy signing up the (UK-US) trade deal,  and I don’t know if they have leverage … in terms of urging either side to cease”, he said.

“We are living in a world where there isn’t much authority in the United Nations, and in a non-polar world, even … what Trump’s administration will do is really hard to guess, because (it’s) a transactional government, it’s not that they stand for any particular principles”, he noted.

Footage from Jammu resident appears to capture falling projectiles

The following footage captured by a resident of Jammu Trikuta Nagar, in the heart of Jammu city, depicts projectiles soaring through the sky.

“What is this?” the resident can be heard asking in the video.

As we reported earlier, there have been Pakistani attacks in Akhnoor, Samba, Kathua and multiple other locations in Jammu, Reuters said, citing an unnamed Indian official.

Feminist group cancels upcoming annual rally due to ‘war-like situation’

The organisers of one Pakistan’s biggest feminist rallies, Aurat March Karachi, have announced they are postponing this year’s annual march, due to have taken place on May 11, because of the “war-like situation between India and Pakistan”.

“In the current climate, we must consider the risks that disproportionately impact those same communities: the fear of movement, the possibility of violence, and the increased surveillance that always accompanies national security narratives,” the group said in a post on Instagram, adding the decision to postone was not made “easily” or “quickly”.

It added: “War – or even the potential for it – pushes back all struggles for rights, especially the feminist struggle.”

Each year, the rally brings out thousands of people across the country in various cities to demand women’s rights.

Pakistan’s military denies launching drones at Jammu

Abid Hussain, Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan

The Pakistani military has denied that the country launched any drones towards Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Two military officials have told Al Jazeera that the accusation by India is yet again “a continuity of their lies,” referring to the claims made by the Indian government earlier in the day, which said Pakistan launched drone attacks on 15 cities.

“Pakistan did not launch any attack last night,” or today, a senior military source said on condition of anonymity, as he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Amnesty International raises alarm over civilian casualties

Carolyn Horn, programme director for law and policy at Amnesty International, says the UK-based group was concerned by reports of loss of civilian lives in both India and Pakistan.

“In every armed conflict, protecting civilians is paramount – it’s a fundamental principle of international humanitarian law which binds all nations,” she said in a statement.

“Deliberate, indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks harming civilians or damaging civilian infrastructure such as homes, hospitals, schools, and essential services, are strictly prohibited under the Geneva Conventions and their additional protocols and under customary international law.”

Pakistan’s Chinese-made jet took down Indian fighter aircraft, US officials say: Report

A top Chinese-made Pakistani fighter shot down at least two Indian military aircraft on Wednesday, two US officials have told the Reuters news agency, marking a major milestone for Beijing’s advanced fighter jet.

One US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was high confidence that Pakistan had used the Chinese-made J-10 aircraft to launch air-to-air missiles against Indian fighter jets, bringing down at least two.

Another official told the agency that at least one Indian jet that was shot down was a French-made Rafale fighter aircraft.

India has not acknowledged the loss of any of its planes and instead said it carried out successful strikes against what it said was “terrorist” infrastructure inside Pakistan.

‘I saw at least two blasts in the air’ Jammu resident says

Residents in Jammu city say they are scared after Pakistani drones attacked the city.

“I was on my way to Jammu from my work place which is around 20km (12.5 miles) away from the city … I reached Jammu around 7:30-8:00pm (14:00-14:30 GMT) and heard some fireworks,” Rashul Singh Oberh told Al Jazeera.

“As soon as I stepped out, I saw at least two blasts in the air and then, there was a sudden blackout,” he said.

“I rushed to my friend’s house nearby and just as I was parking my car, I heard few more explosions and saw a few tracer rounds in the air, which were red,” he added.

‘People are very panicked’

The situation near the Line of Control is grim, with villagers there saying that they are caught in the middle, says journalist Umar Mehraj.

“The authorities have set up many community centeres with ambulances and … fire engines at standby,” Mehraj told Al Jazeera, speaking from Srinagar, in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Both armies have traded heavy artillery along the Line of Control for a second consecutive night, he added.

“(Indian) channels have also reported that the Arnia military base in Jammu (has) been targeted, although there is no official word on the incident,” Mehraj said.

He added: “This new … renewed tension between the countries and the exchange of heavy artillery is very rare … It’s very unusual and the situation at there is very escalating and the people are very panicked.”

‘Escalation is imminent,’ Pakistan’s defence minister says

Khawaja Asif, Pakistan’s defence minister, has told Al Jazeera that tensions will continue to escalate due to India’s actions.

“I have no doubt in my mind now that escalation is imminent because of the continuation of aggression from the Indian side, both on the ground and by sending drones today all over Pakistan,” he said.

“Before that, they attacked us with almost 78 planes … and five planes were downed by our air force. So this has been going on for the last three to four days,” he noted.

“We want to de-escalate the situation … but we are forced (to retaliate) by continuous aggression from the Indian side.

“So there is a very vivid and clear possibility that this confrontation will expand,” he said, adding that confrontations could take place along the Line of Control between Indian and Pakistan, as well as the international border between the two countries.