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International Desk, May 9, 2025 :Heavy shelling has erupted along the India-Pakistan border, escalating tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. According to Indian media outlet Hindustan Times, Pakistani forces initiated shelling on Friday evening (May 9) in the Uri and Poonch sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, using heavy artillery and mortars, as claimed by Indian officials.
In response, Indian forces have launched counterattacks, intensifying the conflict. Hindustan Times reported that 16 Indian civilians have been killed in the Pakistani shelling, though these figures remain unverified.
The escalation follows India’s claim on Friday that Pakistan deployed 300 to 400 drones to attack multiple locations, including Jammu and Kashmir, on Thursday. Indian authorities stated that these attacks were successfully repelled. Pakistan, however, has denied launching any such drone or missile strikes. A Pakistani official, speaking to CNN, dismissed India’s allegations of missile attacks on 15 Indian cities as “fabricated” and accused India of creating “hype” to justify aggression.
Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Pakistan’s ISPR, called India’s claims of missile attacks “laughable” and “farcical,” asserting that no such operations were conducted by Pakistan.
Meanwhile, a senior Indian military official reported hearing explosions in Jammu, part of India-administered Jammu and Kashmir, while police in Pathankot, Punjab, confirmed they were investigating reports of explosions, with air defense systems active at the time.
Pakistan has called on the United States to analyze satellite imagery to verify its claim of not launching any attacks. The Pakistani official emphasized that Islamabad is giving diplomacy a chance to de-escalate tensions but warned that failure of diplomatic efforts could lead to retaliatory strikes against India.
Efforts by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other nations are underway to mediate and reduce tensions between the two countries. The international community remains on edge as the situation along the volatile border continues to unfold.
AI/MR
