Escalating Tensions: Explosions Rock Kashmir as India and Pakistan Exchange Strikes










2025-05-09T16:56:06Z

In a troubling escalation of violence, officials have reported that ten explosions were heard near Srinagar International Airport in the India-administered region of Kashmir, sparking alarm among locals and prompting responses from security forces. The blasts occurred shortly after several blackouts in the area, which were attributed to multiple projectiles seen soaring through the sky above the city of Jammu earlier today, according to a report from Reuters.
In addition to the explosions in Srinagar, reports indicated that similar disturbances were also heard in the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, located in the neighboring Punjab state. An official from the Indian military confirmed the presence of drones in the vicinity, stating, “drones have been sighted, and they are being engaged.” The situation has raised serious concerns about the potential for further unrest in a region that has a long history of conflict.
The recent explosions and military activity come amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly across the Line of Control in the Kashmir region. Just earlier this week, on Wednesday morning, India conducted missile strikes targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-administered areas of Kashmir. This military action was reportedly in retaliation for a devastating attack that left 26 individuals dead—most of whom were Indian tourists—last month in an area governed by India.
In an official statement, the Indian government asserted that they successfully targeted nine sites believed to be linked to terrorist activities. However, Pakistan has maintained that it was not involved in the attack from last month and has denied that the targeted locations were associated with any militant operations.
The fallout from these events has been severe, with casualty estimates reporting approximately 48 fatalities on both sides since the conflict escalated on Wednesday. Notably, these figures have yet to be independently verified, raising concerns over the accuracy of reported numbers.
The ongoing violence has also affected sports, as India decided to suspend its prestigious cricket tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL), in light of the increasing tensions. Concurrently, the Pakistan Super League (PSL) has opted to relocate the remainder of its season to the United Arab Emirates, reflecting the broader impact of the conflict on regional activities.
In a further development, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed the media on Friday, confirming that the United States is maintaining constant communication with both India and Pakistan in an effort to de-escalate tensions. This highlights the international ramifications of the conflict and the global interest in ensuring stability in the region.
As this breaking news story continues to develop, further details will be made available shortly. Readers are encouraged to refresh the page for the most comprehensive updates. For immediate alerts on developments, users can download the Sky News app on their smartphones or tablets, follow updates on WhatsApp, or subscribe to the Sky News YouTube channel.
Thomas Fischer
Source of the news: Sky News