India and Pakistan Trade Drone Strikes, 48 Killed, Karachi Airport Closed After Nine Indian Targets Hit

India and Pakistan have accused each other of launching waves of drone and missile attacks on military targets, following Indian missile strikes on nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. India claims these strikes were in response to a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month that killed 26 people, an allegation Pakistan denies. Pakistan states it shot down 25 to 28 Indian drones, including Israeli-made Harop drones, over cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi, and alleges Indian strikes targeted air defense systems and military headquarters. India reports its air defense systems neutralized Pakistani drones and missiles aimed at military installations in Jammu, Pathankot, and Udhampur. The violence has resulted in at least 48 deaths—32 in Pakistan and 16 in India—mostly civilians, with additional injuries to soldiers and civilians on both sides. Pakistan claims to have shot down five Indian aircraft, though India has not confirmed these losses. In response to the hostilities, Karachi airport was closed, flights were suspended in parts of India, and a state of emergency was declared in Sindh province. Indian border states issued shoot-on-sight orders and conducted security drills, including in Amritsar. The US consulate in Lahore implemented shelter-in-place measures. Both countries' governments have warned of further retaliation, while the international community, including the United States, Iran, and Saudi Arabia, has called for de-escalation.