Explosions were reported late Friday in Indian-administered Kashmir and the city of Amritsar in Punjab, as military tensions between India and Pakistan intensified to levels not seen in nearly 30 years. The Indian military said it was targeting drones amid the escalating conflict.
The blasts in Amritsar marked the first such incidents in the city during the ongoing standoff between the two nuclear-armed countries, raising concerns that the fighting could spread further. In Jammu, part of Indian Kashmir, lights went out during a second night of explosions. Eyewitnesses described seeing projectiles and flashes in the sky.
An unnamed Indian military official confirmed that drones were detected and were being actively engaged. The army later reported sightings of drones in 26 locations across western and northwestern India, stretching from Kashmir and other border states to coastal areas near the Arabian Sea.
Security officials reported ten blasts near Srinagar airport and additional explosions elsewhere in the disputed region. Pakistan has not issued an official response, but it previously denied involvement in a series of attacks on Thursday night.
The recent hostilities began after India launched strikes on what it called “terrorist infrastructure” in Pakistan, following a deadly attack on Hindu tourists in Kashmir last month. Pakistan has rejected the allegations and denied responsibility for the incident. Since Wednesday, the two countries have exchanged artillery fire, drone strikes, and missile attacks, resulting in escalating casualties.
Estimates suggest at least 48 people have died on both sides, although these numbers have not been independently verified. In one reported incident, a family in Punjab’s Ferozepur region near the border was seriously injured by an armed drone.
Residents in border regions have fled, with many stocking up on supplies and staying indoors. The conflict has also disrupted major sporting events — India’s cricket board suspended the Indian Premier League, while Pakistan’s cricket authorities postponed the remaining matches of the Pakistan Super League.
India and Pakistan have had a deeply strained relationship since gaining independence in 1947, having fought three wars — two of them over Kashmir — and engaged in numerous skirmishes.
In response to the crisis, the White House said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been in ongoing contact with leaders from both nations, reiterating President Donald Trump’s desire for a peaceful resolution.
Escalating Accusations
India claimed its drone strikes targeted and destroyed a Pakistani air defense system, according to Indian Air Force officer Vyomika Singh. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar dismissed India’s claims as “baseless,” insisting no offensive action was taken by his country.
In Pakistani-administered Kashmir, officials reported heavy shelling from the Indian side that killed five civilians, including a baby, and injured 29 others early Friday.
This current bout of violence is the most intense since the 1999 Kargil conflict between the two nations. Sirens sounded for hours in Amritsar, where the Golden Temple — a key Sikh religious site — is located. Many tourists fled by road after the city’s airport was shut down.
“We wanted to stay, but the loud noises, blackouts, and sirens are too much. Our families are worried, so we’re leaving,” said a British tourist.
Elsewhere, in Rajasthan’s Bikaner region, schools and tutoring centers closed, and residents were encouraged to relocate if possible. In Gujarat’s Bhuj area, authorities prepared buses for potential evacuations.
Indian financial markets reacted sharply, with stocks falling for the second consecutive day. The market lost an estimated $83 billion in value, as both benchmark indices dropped by 1.1%. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s main stock index closed significantly higher, with traders citing a lull in violence in Pakistani regions after the initial clashes.
On Day 3 of the recently concluded Your LoveWorld Season 11, Phase 5, The Man of God, Pastor Chris shared powerful insights on how to pray about matters that impact nations. He emphasized that such issues are best addressed through corporate prayers and prophetic declarations. Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome urged churches in Europe to come together in prayer, a model that can also be applied to the India-Pakistan situation. We encourage all churches in India and Pakistan to join in prayer to bring about positive change, fostering peace and prosperity in the region.
