By Gloria Nosa
Tensions between nuclear-armed neighbors India and Pakistan have escalated sharply following a series of cross-border drone and missile strikes, raising fears of a wider military confrontation in the region.
According to official sources, both countries engaged in retaliatory attacks over the past 48 hours, with drones reportedly breaching airspace and missile systems targeting strategic positions near the Line of Control (LoC). While casualties remain unconfirmed, local media in both nations have reported damage to military infrastructure and civilian areas near the contested border zones.
The recent flare-up comes amid long-standing hostilities rooted in territorial disputes over Kashmir, a region that has witnessed repeated clashes over the decades. Indian defense officials accused Pakistan of initiating the latest exchange by deploying armed drones over Indian-administered Kashmir, prompting what they described as a “measured but firm” response.
Pakistan’s military, on the other hand, blamed India for launching “unprovoked missile aggression,” vowing to respond with “full capability and resolve.”
The international community has expressed concern over the rising hostilities. The United Nations has urged both nations to exercise restraint, while China and the United States have called for immediate de-escalation and a return to diplomatic dialogue.
Analysts warn that the situation remains volatile, with the risk of miscalculation potentially triggering a broader conflict. Both India and Pakistan possess nuclear arsenals, making any sustained military exchange especially dangerous for regional and global stability.
As tensions mount, calls for backchannel negotiations and third-party mediation are growing louder, with hopes of preventing another deadly chapter in the already fraught India-Pakistan relationship.
