India, Pakistan Escalate Conflict with Airstrikes, Drone Attacks; IPL Suspended, 24 Airports Closed
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India and Pakistan have engaged in a series of military exchanges, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The conflict intensified following an attack on April 22 in India-controlled Kashmir that killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, which India attributed to Pakistan. Pakistan denies any involvement in the incident.
Overnight, Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged heavy artillery fire across the Line of Control in Kashmir, resulting in at least five civilian deaths. In Pakistan, four civilians were killed and 12 others wounded, while in India, a woman was killed and two others injured in the Uri sector, bringing the total civilian death toll in India to 17 since Wednesday.
India conducted airstrikes on Wednesday targeting what it described as militant-related sites in Pakistani territory, killing 31 civilians according to Pakistani officials. Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets and 77 Indian drones over two days. Both countries reported drone attacks on Thursday, which were denied by the other side, and these incidents could not be independently verified.
The rising hostilities have led to significant disruptions in both countries. The Indian Premier League cricket tournament was suspended for a week, and a cricket match in Dharamsala was called off after a stadium evacuation. Schools in several Indian states, including Punjab, Rajasthan, and Indian-controlled Kashmir, were closed for two days. Additionally, flight operations were suspended at 24 airports in northern and western India.
The Indian government ordered the social platform X to block over 8,000 accounts, citing censorship concerns. Amidst fears of a broader military confrontation, U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that a potential war between India and Pakistan would be 'none of our business,' emphasizing de-escalation efforts. The Indian stock markets also felt the impact, with the Sensex tanking 662 points to 79,649 and the Nifty 50 declining 215 points to 24,058 in early trade on Friday.
India and Pakistan continued to trade accusations about military action against each other as hostilities entered a third day, with no sign of easing tensions https://t.co/pYXy0aItbx
