Pakistan on Thursday launched new strikes against three Indian military bases in Kashmir with missiles and drones but there were no casualties, the Indian military reported, an allegation Islamabad refuted.
India claimed that “the threat was neutralised. with kinetic and non-kinetic means” and stated that the targeted bases were located in “Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur near the international border.”
Blackouts were experienced from a stretch of Kashmir cities, including Jammu, as well as from cities in the bordering state of Punjab like Amritsar and Jalandhar. We can hear heavy explosions, it seems bombs are exploding all over,” said Varinder Jeet Singh, a senior BJP party member, talking about Jammu.
A resident of Jammu Liyakat, who would only give his first name, said: “I heard multiple explosions and there was a disruption in electricity supply.” A past director general of police in Jammu and Kashmir, Shesh Paul Vaid, also described on social media that there had been “very loud explosions”.
The explosion was confirmed by a security source, who would not comment publicly. Pakistani Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar rejected allegations that his nation’s army conducted strikes in Jammu on Thursday.
On Wednesday, India fired missiles saying that it struck “terrorist camps,” and Pakistan responded by sending fighter jets airborne and opening up artillery fire. A day after that, India and Pakistan exchanged blame for conducting waves of drone attacks. At least 48 people have been reported killed on both sides since the escalation, including 32 of them Pakistanis and children.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said on Thursday that he had talked to EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas, adding: “India has been measured in its actions. However, any escalation will get a firm response.”US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called on India and Pakistan to take swift action to de-escalate and talk to each other, as he urged Islamabad to bring to an end any support to “terrorist groups.
