Sat May 10 04:30:00 UTC 2025: ## India-Pakistan Border Tensions Escalate Amidst Mutual Accusations and International Calls for De-escalation
**NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD** – India and Pakistan traded accusations of escalating military actions Thursday, prompting urgent calls for de-escalation from the United States and other international actors. The conflict has already resulted in dozens of casualties on both sides.
The Indian army claimed Pakistan launched drone and missile attacks on three Indian military bases in Jammu, Udhampur (both in Indian-administered Kashmir), and Pathankot (Punjab). Pakistan denies these allegations. Islamabad simultaneously reported shooting down 25 Indian drones, a claim India has not yet addressed.
Pakistan reported 31 fatalities and 57 injuries from airstrikes and cross-border shelling since Wednesday morning, while India confirmed at least 16 civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling. India stated its initial missile strikes were retaliation for a deadly militant attack on Indian tourists in Pahalgam last month, a claim Pakistan denies.
The surge in violence follows a decades-long insurgency in Indian-administered Kashmir, a region both nations claim in full. Schools in Indian-administered Kashmir are closed Friday.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, while speaking to the BBC, denied any Pakistani attacks, asserting that any future action would be undeniable. He confirmed discussions between Pakistan’s Prime Minister and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also spoke with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, urging both sides to de-escalate and improve communication.
Reports of explosions and blackouts in Indian-administered Kashmir, including Jammu city, further fueled the tension. Indian army sources confirmed activating defense systems in Jammu amid air raid sirens. Eyewitnesses reported multiple objects falling near Jammu Airport, and a security source confirmed explosions at the airport. Meanwhile, Asian News International reported Pakistani targeting of Jammu with loitering munitions. The Indian cricket board also confirmed the cancellation of an IPL match due to a power outage in Dharamshala, near the border.
The BBC has verified videos purportedly showing the wreckage of a French-manufactured Rafale fighter jet in India, raising questions about the extent of military losses. India’s Foreign Secretary declined to comment.
The escalating crisis marks a dangerous turn, with both nations engaging in large-scale drone attacks for the first time. While initial hopes for a swift de-escalation have faded, international pressure continues to mount on both India and Pakistan to avoid further conflict. The situation remains highly volatile.
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