In a significant escalation of military tensions between India and Pakistan, India has accused its neighbor of launching drone and missile attacks against three of its military installations. The Indian Army announced that it had successfully thwarted these alleged attacks, which were aimed at military bases located in Jammu and Udhampur in Indian-administered Kashmir, as well as in Pathankot, Punjab. A series of blasts were reported in Jammu City on Thursday evening, coinciding with a sudden blackout across the region, raising alarms about the potential for wider conflict.

Responding to India's accusations, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif firmly denied any involvement, stating to the BBC, "We deny it, we have not mounted anything so far," adding, "We will not strike and then deny." This denial comes amidst heightened military activity and claims from both sides, which have only intensified following a recent history of conflict over Kashmir.

Earlier in the day, India proclaimed that it had conducted strikes against Pakistan's air defenses, asserting that it had neutralized Islamabad's attempts to target Indian military installations the previous night. The Pakistani government characterized this as yet another "act of aggression," following a series of Indian missile strikes that had occurred on Wednesday, which targeted positions in both Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

The international community has reacted to these escalations with calls for de-escalation and restraint. The United Nations, along with various world leaders, urged both nations to prioritize peace and dialogue to avoid a potential military confrontation. The current situation marks the most severe clash between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in over twenty years, highlighting the fragile nature of peace in the region.

India's military actions on Wednesday were reportedly a retaliatory measure following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir last month that resulted in the tragic deaths of 26 civilians, predominantly Indian tourists. This incident has intensified existing tensions in a region already fraught with conflict. Both countries have long claimed rights to Kashmir, which has been a point of contention since the British partition in 1947, leading to several wars and ongoing skirmishes.

As the situation unfolds, there have been reports of evacuations in border areas due to increased cross-border shelling. Local reports indicated that civilians, including women and children, were moved to shelters near Jammu as a precautionary measure. Pakistan's military spokesman described the actions taken by India as "another act of aggression" and mentioned that Indian drones have allegedly been spotted at multiple locations, including major cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi. Reports from Pakistan indicated that one civilian was killed in Sindh province, and four soldiers were injured in Lahore due to these ongoing hostilities.

Further complicating the situation, the US consulate in Lahore advised its staff to seek shelter within its premises amid the escalating military conflicts. India's Defence Ministry claimed that it had successfully neutralized an air defense system in Lahore, a statement that was promptly denied by Pakistani officials. As of now, there has been no independent verification of either country’s accounts of the events that have unfolded.

In a press briefing later in the day, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that India’s military actions were not intended to escalate tensions further but were merely responses to provocations initiated by Pakistan. As both nations continue to exchange accusations and military actions, the hope for peace and dialogue becomes more critical than ever.