Three Pakistani air force sites—Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, Murid in Chakwal, and Rafiqui in Jhang—got hit by powerful explosions that caused significant damage. Nur Khan, located near the capital and next to Pakistan’s Joint Staff Headquarters, was one of the most affected sites. The explosions occurred early Saturday, leading Pakistan to close its airspace to civilian and commercial traffic.
Reports mentioned loud blasts and increased military activity at the bases. Video footage circulating online showed fires at Nur Khan Air Base, but the authenticity of these visuals remains uncertain.
The strikes came shortly after India accused Pakistan of launching coordinated drone attacks on 26 Indian military and civil aviation facilities, stretching from Leh to Sir Creek. The Indian military managed to intercept every attempted incursion.
“Pakistan is using civil airliners as a shield, knowing that its attack on India would provoke a swift air defense response,” said Colonel Sofiya Qureshi during a joint press briefing with Indian Air Force Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
The situation escalated as Pakistan shut its airspace and the last PIA flight had to circle over Quetta. Explosions were felt in Islamabad and Lahore, with the Pakistani Army claiming that Indian missiles fell back into India. In retaliation, India struck parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir’s Neelam Valley and Sialkot. Indian authorities advised residents to stay indoors as they intercepted a long-range Pakistani missile over Sirsa.
The skies were dominated by India’s S-400 and air defense units, successfully repelling continued Pakistani drone incursions. As tensions grew, India scheduled a high-level press conference, initially set for 5:45 AM but later postponed to 10 AM. Pakistan also issued a NOTAM to close its airspace, a move criticized by India as being delayed.
Among the targeted sites was the strategic IV Corps headquarters in Lahore, housing Pakistan’s 10 and 11 Infantry Divisions. This attack came after reports of Pakistani drones being shot down over Amritsar. Additionally, Pakistani 15 Division assets in Sialkot were mobilized, a move reminiscent of past conflicts in 2001 and 2019.
With the situation unfolding rapidly, the region braced for further escalations and potential responses from both sides. The impact of these attacks on the already tense India-Pakistan relations remains to be seen.
It’s not really clear why all this is happening, but tensions between India and Pakistan have a long history of flare-ups, and it seems like they’re once again at a boiling point. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution to avoid any further escalation in this already volatile region.
So, like, it’s crucial for both countries to exercise restraint and diplomatic dialogue to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like the stakes are higher than ever in this latest round of hostilities.