Pakistan has claimed that Indian forces launched a wave of drone attacks overnight, targeting major Pakistani cities including Rawalpindi, the headquarters of its military. According to Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, air defence systems intercepted and shot down 12 Indian drones. He said the attacks resulted in the death of a civilian in Sindh and injuries to four Pakistani soldiers following a confrontation with an airborne Indian drone.

Labeling the incident as "another blatant military act of aggression," Gen Sharif accused India of crossing a serious line and described the drone incursions as a grave provocation. He stated that the Pakistani armed forces remain on high alert and are actively responding to threats. Drone debris is reportedly still being recovered. India has not yet officially responded to the latest accusations.

These developments come in the wake of India’s large-scale missile and drone strikes early Wednesday, which targeted nine locations, including four in Pakistan’s Punjab province. The Indian operation reportedly resulted in the deaths of 31 individuals and was described as one of the most extensive Indian military actions in decades. India stated the strikes were aimed at terrorist infrastructure in response to an April terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. Pakistan, however, denies harboring terror groups in the targeted areas and claims only civilians were affected.

In reaction to the strikes, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed retaliation, stating that the blood of those killed would not go unavenged. A state of emergency has been declared in Sindh’s hospitals, and all medical staff leave has been canceled. Similarly, in India, border regions including Punjab and Rajasthan have been placed on high alert. Anti-drone systems were activated, police leave was revoked, and authorities issued shoot-on-sight orders for suspicious activity.

Pakistan has also claimed to have shot down five Indian military aircraft including three Rafale fighter jets a claim not verified independently. Officials said Pakistan’s complete response to the Indian strikes was still being determined. Meanwhile, cross-border shelling has continued along the Line of Control (LoC), with at least one Indian soldier and 11 civilians reported dead. Civilians are being evacuated from affected areas. Calls for de-escalation are growing globally. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to hold talks, having already visited Islamabad earlier in the week. He has offered to mediate between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from the Guardians.