Pakistan Retaliates After India Fires Missiles \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Pakistan claims India launched missile attacks on three air bases Saturday, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals. Islamabad responded with retaliatory strikes, targeting Indian military sites. The conflict follows a deadly massacre in Kashmir, which India blames on Pakistan-backed militants.
Quick Looks
- Pakistan accused India of firing missiles at three airbases: Nur Khan, Murid, and Rafiqui.
- Most missiles were intercepted, but some landed in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab and Afghanistan, officials say.
- In retaliation, Pakistan launched Fateh medium-range missiles at Indian sites in Pathankot and Udhampur.
- Pakistani army spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif called India’s actions a “provocation of the highest order.”
- Tensions have surged since an April 22 massacre in Kashmir killed 26 Hindu Indian tourists.
- India has blamed Pakistan-based militants, a charge Islamabad denies.
- Residents in Srinagar, Jammu, and Udhampur reported loud explosions, with some saying their homes shook.
- India previously launched airstrikes on Wednesday, killing 31 civilians, according to Pakistan.
- On Thursday, India said it thwarted Pakistani drone and missile attacks, which Pakistan disputes.
- The G7 called for immediate de-escalation, warning of risks to regional stability and civilian safety.
Deep Look
The standoff between India and Pakistan — two nuclear-armed neighbors with a history of war and mistrust — escalated sharply on Saturday after Pakistan accused India of launching missile strikes on three military air bases. According to Pakistani military officials, retaliatory missile attacks are now underway, further raising fears of a broader regional conflict.
The Attack and the Response
In a nationally televised address, Pakistani military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif stated that India fired six ballistic missiles from the city of Adampur, striking Pakistan’s Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, Murid air base in Chakwal, and Rafiqui air base in Jhang, all in eastern Punjab. Sharif said most were intercepted, but some caused damage, including one that inexplicably struck Indian territory in Adampur, while five landed in Amritsar.
In response, Sharif confirmed that Pakistan launched Fateh medium-range missiles at Indian missile storage sites, including strategic locations in Pathankot and Udhampur.
“This is a provocation of the highest order,” Sharif declared, adding that Pakistan’s air force assets remain secure and ready to counter further escalation.
The developments follow weeks of heightened tension sparked by an April 22 attack in India-controlled Kashmir, where 26 civilians — mainly Hindu tourists — were killed in what India labeled a terrorist massacre backed by Pakistan. Islamabad has rejected the accusation, calling it baseless.
Growing Chaos on the Ground
As the missile exchanges unfolded, residents in Srinagar, Jammu, and Udhampur described being jolted by powerful explosions. Some said their homes shook, windows rattled, and the atmosphere felt like the onset of war.
“These blasts were not like the ones we’ve heard during drone attacks. These were far more intense,” said Sheesh Paul Vaid, former police chief of Jammu and a resident of the region. Mohammed Yasin, a resident of Srinagar, reported hearing at least two explosions.
The Indian Army, in a statement released late Friday, reported 26 drone sightings across border states and said that all drones were tracked and engaged. The army stressed that the situation was under constant surveillance and that prompt actions were being taken where needed.
Previous Escalations and Mistrust
Saturday’s strikes come just days after India launched airstrikes into Pakistani territory on Wednesday, targeting what it described as militant-related sites. Pakistani officials say those strikes killed 31 civilians and claim they shot down five Indian fighter jets. India has not commented on aircraft losses.
On Thursday, India reported intercepting Pakistani missile and drone attacks aimed at military installations in over a dozen cities, including Jammu. Islamabad denied those attacks took place, while India claimed to have damaged Pakistani radar systems near Lahore — claims that remain unverified by independent sources.
International Calls for De-escalation
The rapid chain of attacks has alarmed the international community, with the Group of Seven (G7) nations issuing a statement via Canada on Friday, urging “maximum restraint” from both India and Pakistan.
“Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability,” the statement warned. “We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides. We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue.”
The ongoing hostilities represent the most serious cross-border military escalation between India and Pakistan in several years. With thousands of troops deployed near the Line of Control in Kashmir, and missiles now crossing borders in both directions, the potential for miscalculation or deliberate escalation has never been higher.
As of Saturday evening, there has been no official response from India’s government, which has remained silent amid the Pakistani accusations and retaliatory actions.
What’s Next?
The situation remains fluid and extremely volatile. Military analysts say that while both nations may be seeking limited tactical gains, the risk of an uncontrollable escalation is significant, especially given the involvement of ballistic missiles, airstrikes, and drone warfare.
With civilian casualties rising and both nations claiming military success, the international community is now facing the possibility of having to mediate between two nations that have gone to war three times before — and are once again veering toward conflict.
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