Escalating Tensions: India and Pakistan Exchange Strikes on Military Installations

Violence escalated sharply on Saturday as India and Pakistan conducted reciprocal military strikes, with each country accusing the other of provoking the conflict. This rising tension follows a series of UAV and missile exchanges, marking the heaviest military engagement in recent days.

The conflict between India and Pakistan escalated significantly on Saturday, as both nations targeted military installations and accused each other of initiating hostilities. Pakistan reported that India had launched attacks on at least three of its air bases, including the strategic Nur Khan air force base near Islamabad, using air-to-surface missiles. Eyewitnesses in Rawalpindi described multiple explosions and a massive fireball that could be seen from miles away.

In a swift response, Pakistan claimed to have retaliated by firing short-range surface-to-surface missiles at several locations in India, including the Udhampur and Pathankot air bases, and a missile storage facility. The Pakistani military declared, “An eye for an eye,” reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Conversely, India asserted that its strikes were a defensive response to a series of Pakistani attacks involving drones, long-range weapons, and fighter jets, which had targeted 26 locations. Vyomika Singh, a spokesperson for the Indian military, noted that while there was “limited damage” to equipment and personnel, the nation’s actions were justified. India’s foreign secretary, Vikram Misri, emphasized that Pakistan's provocations required a responsible and measured reaction from India.

As tensions mounted, it became apparent that the night marked one of the most intense military engagements between the two nations since the initial confrontations began just days earlier. With both sides entrenched in their positions, the international community remains wary of an escalation that could have significant repercussions for the region.