India conducted strikes using Israeli-made Harop drones against Pakistan overnight. The Pakistani army reported that they managed to intercept 25 of these drones, according to army spokesperson General Ahmad Sharif, who spoke to the Associated Press. However, debris from one drone that crashed in Sindh resulted in one civilian death and injuries to another.
Additionally, a drone attack near Lahore damaged a military facility, causing injuries to four soldiers, while another incident led to a soldier’s descent near Rawalpindi, close to the capital.
“Our troops are currently neutralizing these threats,” General Sharif stated on state television early Thursday.
The Indian government announced that “Pakistan has attempted to establish multiple military targets in northern and western India and used drones and missiles in these efforts.” They claimed that these threats were countered by their air defense systems, with fragments of the attacks recovered as evidence of Pakistan’s actions.
The Indian military also revealed that Lahore’s air defense systems were compromised, which involved targeting air defense capabilities across various parts of Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan fired mortars and heavy artillery across the control line in several regions of Jammu and Kashmir, reportedly resulting in 16 civilian deaths, including three women and five children. The Indian government stated that this escalation forced them to respond with mortars.
Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons, which adds a layer of complexity and tension to their ongoing conflicts on the global stage.
In the midst of these rising tensions, President Trump expressed willingness to assist both nations, urging them to “stop” the conflict. He mentioned that if he could help, he’d be available.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine called for leaders from both countries to pursue diplomatic solutions to decrease tensions and ensure accountability for recent terrorist attacks in Kashmir.
