Pakistan’s military announced it shot down 25 Indian surveillance drones Thursday, marking a dangerous new phase in the Kashmir conflict after Wednesday’s cross-border strikes killed at least 45 people. The nuclear-armed neighbors remain on high alert as global leaders urge de-escalation.
Key Developments:
- Pakistan’s army intercepted Israeli-made Harop drones near military installations in Lahore, Rawalpindi and other locations, with one civilian casualty reported in Sindh
- India had launched strikes targeting what it called “terrorist camps” following a April 22 attack in Pahalgam that killed 26
- Both nations closed major airports temporarily as tensions spiked, with crowds gathering at drone crash sites
Human Toll:
- Pakistan reports 31 civilian deaths from Indian strikes, including 13 at an Islamic seminary in Bahawalpur
- India confirms 13 civilians and 1 soldier killed by Pakistani shelling in Poonch sector
- Survivors describe children killed by shrapnel and families displaced by the violence
Global Response:
- U.S. President Trump called for an immediate cessation of hostilities
- Iranian diplomats shuttle between capitals attempting mediation
- Analysts predict limited retaliatory strikes as both sides seek to “save face”
The conflict marks the most severe military confrontation between the rivals since their 2019 clashes, with the disputed Kashmir region remaining the epicenter of tensions. As Pakistan vows to “avenge each drop of blood,” the international community watches nervously for signs of further escalation.
