Pakistan’s military says it is responding with force after accusing India of launching airstrikes on three of its airbases, escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

In a statement released Saturday, Pakistan’s armed forces alleged they had destroyed components of India’s advanced S-400 air defence system and carried out a cyber-attack targeting key Indian infrastructure. These claims have not been independently verified, and Delhi has yet to issue an official response.

India’s foreign and defence ministries are expected to address the media shortly. Earlier, the Indian army described Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes as a “blatant escalation.”

Tensions flared following an Indian military operation launched in response to a recent militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed several Indian tourists. New Delhi blamed Pakistan-based groups for the attack—an allegation Islamabad strongly denies.

Since the Indian operation began, both sides have traded accusations of cross-border shelling, drone incursions, and missile strikes. The volatile situation has sparked fears of a broader conflict between the longtime rivals.

Kashmir remains a flashpoint in South Asia. The Himalayan territory, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan, has been the site of a decades-long insurgency that has left thousands dead. Despite numerous ceasefire agreements, military skirmishes and militant violence continue to plague the region.

Regional observers warn that the current escalation, if not swiftly de-escalated, could derail fragile peace efforts and destabilise broader South Asian security.

Source: BBC

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