In a troubling escalation of violence, ten explosions were reported near Srinagar International Airport in India-controlled Kashmir, according to local officials. This alarming event follows a series of other explosions that echoed across the region earlier on Friday, heightening fears of a potential conflict. In addition to the explosions heard in Srinagar, multiple projectiles were visibly tracked in the skies over Jammu, while loud blasts resonated in the city of Amritsar. The Indian military has responded by engaging what they believe to be hostile drones, accusing Pakistan of utilizing civilian aircraft as cover for their operations.

An official from the Indian military shared insights with Reuters, highlighting the grave threat posed by these drones, which they state are endangering civilian lives. The situation escalated further when several Indian cities were targeted in a series of attacks that occurred on Thursday night, amplifying concerns over the deteriorating relationship between New Delhi and Islamabad. Military analysts are now expressing fears that the increasing hostilities could lead to a larger, more catastrophic conflict, with one expert, Nicholas Drummond, warning in an interview with the Express that involvement from China could dangerously amplify the ongoing tensions, potentially resulting in a scenario reminiscent of World War III.

In a show of force, India conducted a series of missile strikes on Pakistani territory Wednesday morning, targeting regions administered by Pakistan in the highly contested Kashmir area. As tensions escalated, the Indian Premier League, the country’s premier cricket tournament, was suspended due to the increasingly volatile situation. There were discussions about relocating the tournament to the UK, while Pakistan’s own cricket league, the Pakistan Super League, was moved to the United Arab Emirates for safety reasons.

The conflict has also led to severe disruptions within India, including power outages attributed to projectile strikes in various areas. The backdrop to this violence includes a recent terror attack allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan, which claimed the lives of 26 individuals, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, in the resort town of Pahalgam on April 22. This attack marked a significant incident as it was the first major act of violence against civilians since India’s revocation of Article 370 in 2019, which had granted semi-autonomous status to Kashmir. In response to the attack, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to seek out those responsible, vowing to hunt the suspects “till the ends of the Earth.” In contrast, Pakistan has categorically denied involvement in the assault. Since the renewed hostilities ignited this week, reports indicate that around 48 individuals have lost their lives on both sides of the border, with many more sustaining serious injuries from the ongoing missile and drone strikes.