Srinagar, India — Tensions escalated between India and Pakistan over the weekend as allegations of drone attacks intensified, with both countries exchanging accusations of aggression. Reports surfaced indicating a series of drone strikes over Indian-administered Kashmir and Punjab late Friday night, stirring fears of a heightened military confrontation in the region.

Witness accounts described flashes and loud explosions in the night sky, particularly near Jammu, where multiple blasts were reported close to the Srinagar airport. The magnitude of the drone strikes on Friday was claimed to be more severe than those observed the previous night. Eyewitnesses in the Punjab city of Amritsar noted the ominous presence of intercepted drones, highlighting the increasingly volatile situation along the border.

Earlier on Friday, Indian military officials alleged that Pakistan had launched a coordinated attack involving up to 400 drones the previous night, targeting not only urban centers but also military installations and religious sites. This marked a significant uptick in aerial hostilities, with India stating it had successfully intercepted numerous drones breaching its borders.

India also confirmed its own retaliatory drone strikes against Pakistani military infrastructure, underscoring the ongoing cycle of attacks and counterattacks. In a press briefing, officials indicated that one such strike had reportedly targeted a gurdwara, resulting in civilian injuries. They expressed grave concerns over such attacks on places of worship, labeling them as unacceptable.

Pakistan’s leadership rebutted these claims, with officials condemning India’s assertions as “baseless.” Despite the denial, a Pakistani security source suggested that the recent strikes were meant to prepare for a more substantial retaliation, asserting that future responses would be unmistakable.

Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri criticized Pakistan’s denial, labeling it absurd and indicative of the country’s duplicity in the ongoing conflict. He emphasized that this conflict, fueled by drone warfare and mutual accusations, represents a troubling escalation between two nuclear-armed neighbors.

The backdrop to these tense exchanges includes a recent missile strike by India, which purportedly killed 31 individuals in Pakistan. This strike was a direct response to a previous attack in Kashmir, where militants killed 25 Hindu tourists and their guide—a tragic event that ignited this latest round of confrontations.

As the situation deteriorates, the city of Jammu emerged as the hardest-hit area, with local residents recounting an unprecedented aerial onslaught that transformed night into a chaotic display of fiery projectiles. Citizens noted how air raid sirens sounded throughout the night, plunging the region into darkness as they sought refuge from the violence.

Disinformation has also muddied the waters, with both India and Pakistan accusing each other of spreading false narratives through media channels. India has particularly highlighted exaggerated claims from Pakistan regarding drone interceptions, deeming them deliberate misrepresentations aimed at stoking tensions.

Meanwhile, India has taken measures to control the flow of information, compelling social media platforms to block thousands of accounts linked to Pakistani officials and journalists. This move reflects the deepening stakes in the regional conflict, as both countries grapple with the repercussions of misinformation amid rising anger and fear among their populations.

As both nations remain on high alert, the implications of these developments extend beyond mere military exchanges, threatening stability in a region long defined by conflict and tension.